A Summer of Service
Secretary Hayes announces that the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will be participating in United We Serve, a national effort launched by President Obama to engage more Americans in serving their communities this summer.
Governor Perdue issued a proclamation declaring June 22 – September 11, 2009, as “UNITED WE SERVE” in North Carolina, and urged her fellow citizens to step forward and volunteer. The Governor added, “These 11 weeks are a time for North Carolinians to take the lead in organizing service projects and forging partnerships with local organizations to get their communities back on track,” Perdue said. “Whether you are working in a soup kitchen, reading to a child or helping out a friend in need, everyone’s small efforts can create some big results.”
The campaign kicked off June 22 and runs through September 11, which will be marked for the first time as a national day of service and remembrance. The initiative focuses on four key areas: education, health, community renewal, and energy and the environment. It is being led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that improves lives and strengthens communities through volunteering and service.
Secretary Hayes will be volunteering with several local nonprofits this summer and she along with the governor encourages departmental employees to use their allotted 24 community service hours in support of the initiative and to help get North Carolina back on track. Hayes stated, “I know so many of you already give of your time to serve your local communities, but I would ask you to go the extra mile this summer to reach out to your neighbors with a helping hand. So many across our state are in dire economic conditions right now and your helping hand could significantly impact an individual or a group of individuals’ lives.”
The Obama administration created www.serve.gov, a Web site that allows visitors to type in their zip code to find local volunteer opportunities and recruit volunteers by posting their organization’s projects. Secretary Hayes has asked all employees to use the United We Serve website to tell your story of service. We hope to see the Department and the State of North Carolina well represented on the site.
Finally, the Department would ask that you engage our youth in public service. Research has shown that youth who volunteer build character traits of empathy, respect, and responsibility, but more than that they learn that there is something bigger in this world than themselves. If your facility or your court district is planning a service project this summer please let the communications office know about it so we can work with you to get some positive media focused on the project. The communications office is also building a section of our web site to feature stories of staff providing service in their local communities so please look for this new feature in the future.
