The Commission for Community Volunteerism is proud to report that New Mexico's AmeriCorps programs had the highest percentage growth in the nation -- some 141 percent!  Read more at http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/newsroom/releases_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=1768

• Kick off the week on Saturday 5/8, helping out at the Grand Opening of the first ever Drop-In Center in Shiprock, NM. This new center is intended to be a community gathering place for people of all ages, young and old.

• On Thursday 5/13, members held a "Senior Prom" for the elderly people at a local Senior Home. This concept was developed by a member to provide a fun "dress-up" event for the seniors in the home.

• On Friday 5/14 & Saturday 5/15, members helped out at the Bloomfield Days Fiesta in Bloomfield, NM. This is a community gathering and celebration.

The New Mexico Commission for Community Volunteerism has submitted a grant proposal for The Volunteer Generation Fund. The Corporation for National and Community Service provides the Volunteer Generation Fund as a new program authorized by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. It is designed to increase the number of people who serve in meaningful roles as volunteers dedicated to addressing important needs in communities across America.

Over 50 volunteers participated in the Commission’s service project, during the 12^th Annual Governor’s Spotlight on Volunteerism Conference on April 15, 2010. The crafty participants created 37 warm and cozy blankets with out even threading a needle. A wonderful mix of volunteers from Youth Corps members to Foster Grandparents assembled the colorful blankets and proudly displayed their handiwork. The blankets will be distributed to children and youth in foster care. Marjori Krebs a board member of the Heart Gallery of New Mexico provided an overview of the Heart Gallery’s mission to find homes for many children who were considered "hard to place" due to their age or the fact that they were members of a sibling group. She reminded the participants that the blankets crafted by the service project volunteers will later be a welcome comfort to many children in foster care.

Across the country, AmeriCorps members are helping communities fight poverty, mentor youth, recover from disasters, raise graduation rates, and tackle our toughest social challenges.

AmeriCorps is expanding, and we want your help spreading the word and recruiting the next class of AmeriCorps members.

Court Youth Center (CYC) AmeriCorps program - Cesar Chavez Day of Service March 2010. CYC AmeriCorps members, seventeen NMSU students, two NMSU staff members, and two neighborhood people participated. This garden will also be highlighted during Earth Day with Alma d'Arte students participating and the film FLOW will be shown that day.