Efforts to help the people of Puerto Rico

The Governor’s Office of Volunteerism and the Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development have established a Call Center at 1(833) NJHELPS to receive information on donations and to schedule deliveries to the two designated National Guard Armories, in West Orange and Mt. Holly. The first deliveries are arriving and are being processed by National Guard members. Eldridge Hawkins, Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism is managing the donations in West Orange and is seen in the picture with Brigadier General Edward Chrystal and the troops. Cathy McCann, former Director of Operations at the NJ Community FoodBank, is managing donations at the Mt. Holly Armory.

For more information contact Abraham.lopez@nj.gov or Rowena.madden@sos.nj.gov

Eldridge Hawkins, Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism is managing the donations in West Orange and is seen in the picture with Brigadier General Edward Chrystal and the troops.

AmeriCorps members from St. Paul’s Community Development Corporation in Paterson – assisting at the National Guard West Orange Armory with donations for Puerto Rico.

Governor Christie Announces Information Line Open for New Jerseyans Affected by Hurricane Maria

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and in deference to the half million New Jersey residents of Puerto Rican ancestry, Governor Chris Christie today announced the opening of a toll-free information line. Residents who are searching for friends and loved ones, or are interested in volunteering and/or donating to reputable relief organizations can call the help line to request free information and referral assistance at 833-NJ-HELPS (833-654-3577).

The Department of State’s Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development and Governor’s Office of Volunteerism, together with the state Office of Emergency Management and Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness have teamed up with the Puerto Rican Congress of New Jersey and New Jersey For Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief to provide help to residents.

“Hurricane Maria has disrupted every aspect of life in Puerto Rico, and New Jerseyans are ready to help in any way they can,” said Governor Christie. “We send our thoughts and prayers to hurricane victims in Puerto Rico, as the tragic toll this storm has taken on our fellow Americans is fully understood. We extend our condolences to those who lost loved ones and encourage New Jersey residents to get involved in the relief effort. We are confident we will be able to help this island that is, in so many ways, connected to the Garden State.”

The hotline is open to residents who need help related to the disaster. Assistance will be available in both English and Spanish.  The hotline will be staffed during normal business hours, but messages can be left at any time. Residents interested in learning how they can get involved with disaster relief efforts are encouraged to visit: www.HelpNJNow.org

“As they have in other disasters, our volunteers are ready to help people whose lives have been forever altered by this storm,” said Rowena Madden, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism.

NEW JERSEY FOR PUERTO RICO HURRICANE RELIEF

Did you know there are nearly a half million New Jerseyans of Puerto Rican ancestry that have been directly or indirectly affected by Hurricane Maria and need our help. The Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development is joining forces with the New Jersey Governor's Office of Volunteerism, New Jersey Office Emergnecy Management and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to support the disaster relief efforts of New Jersey For Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief and the Puerto Rican Congress of NJ, Inc.

We have setup a call center to provide residents with up to date information and answer questions. Affected residents are encouraged to call: 1-833-NJ-HELPS (1-833-654-3577). Help and information are only a phone call away.

Hurricane Harvey: How We Can Help

New Jerseyans’ heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the people of Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and with those in Louisiana who brace for the storm’s impact.

New Jersey stands ready to assist Harvey victims in need by offering valuable resources and raising awareness of how to help.

Harvey Donations Guidance letter from New Jersey Office of Emergency Management on donations for Hurricane Harvey.

VolunteerConnect
Your seat at the Board of Trustee's table is waiting...

Join BoardConnect!
Applications are currently being accepted

VolunteerConnect's superior board training program is currently accepting applications for the next series, which begins October 5th.  Join your peers in the program that gives professionals, like you, a well-rounded approach of how to be effective nonprofit board members to help strengthen area nonprofit organizations.

The four-session training is followed by a Meet & Greet Nonprofit Fair so that we can facilitate introductions between you and area nonprofits looking for your talents.

Consider board training to:

• Create social change in your community
• Continue to develop professional skills
• Increase your network
• Achieve personal fulfillment

Our graduates have gone on to the join the boards of the Arts Council of Princeton, Campfire, Enable, Habitat for Humanity, HomeFront, Kidsbridge, Latin America Legal Defense and Education Fund, Trenton Community Music School, UIH Family Partners and many more!

BoardConnect Information & Application

The series fills up quickly and the application deadline is Monday, September 18th, so apply now - don't miss out on this opportunity to take your volunteering to the next level. Please feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions!

New Jersey Commission on National and Community Service Awarded $283,333 to Strengthen and Expand Volunteering Across New Jersey

TRENTON - The New Jersey Commission on National and Community Service (NJ Commission) announced today that it has received a Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) grant of $283,333 from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that oversees AmeriCorps and the nation’s volunteer initiatives. This funding will allow the NJ Commission to better support local organizations in recruiting, managing, and retaining volunteers to address some of New Jersey’s most pressing challenges.

New Jersey is proud to have volunteers of diverse
backgrounds – and species.

The Tri-State K-9 Crisis Response Team provides registered therapy dogs who attended this year’s conference of the NJ Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters, which brought together nearly 200 dis aster volunteers (mostly human) on April 13. The K-9s visit children and adults who have been affected by disasters to offer kindness and to bring smiles to those who have lost so much. Their email address is info@tri-statecanineresponse.org

Trenton Digital Initiative —
Getting Computers to Trenton Families In Need

Donations and Volunteers Needed

The Trenton Digital Initiative (TDI) empowers families and individuals by distributing free computers and providing low-cost, high-speed Internet access to Trenton residents in need. Computer training, and other important skills, are also provided. Approximately 10,000 Trenton families either do not own a computer or do not have access to one. To date, over 600 computers have been delivered to individuals and families in Trenton and more are on their way.

Scholarships for Students Who Volunteer

Scholarships for students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to volunteerism are available from a variety of sources.

These tips will help students at all levels of their education locate and apply for scholarships and awards dedicated to students actively engaged in community service.