Across the nation last week, communities took time to "celebrate the spirit of service in America and honor those who demonstrate the great character of our country through acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion," as stated in the President's Proclamation designating the week of April 15-21 as National Volunteer Week. "People across our Nation answer the universal call to love their neighbor by giving their time, talents, and energy to comfort those in despair, support others in need, and change lives for the better. The optimism and determination of our country's volunteers reflect the true spirit and strength of our Nation," according to the Presidential Proclamation.

National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an Executive Order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Since then, every U.S. President has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week. Additionally, Governors, Mayors and other elected officials from all over the country make public statements and sign proclamations in support of National Volunteer Week.

In the National Partnership to end chronic homeless constellated by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, the work of volunteers is key to the 10-Year Plan successes being reported by cities large and small across the country in reducing and ending homelessness, especially chronic homelessness.

The Council is especially focused on the role of innovation in achieving results and is proud to point to the innovative success in our mission achieved by the technology of Project Homeless Connect, the one-day, one-stop engagement event pioneered in San Francisco. National Volunteer Week has provided a special opportunity to underscore the work of volunteers from all walks of life who are contributing to 10-Year Plans and taking part in National Project Homeless Connect. You'll see a few of their stories in this e-news, along with some of the President's Volunteer Service Award recipients recognized by the Council this week.

In addition, the Council is pleased to announce three upcoming National Project Homeless Connect events. First, we look forward to unveiling shortly our new PHC Toolkit and providing further information on upcoming technical assistance for interested PHC cities to plan over the next several months. New this year will be a July PHC Best Practices Institute convened by the Council. Watch for further details on these resources. Second, the Council will support a National Week to coincide with the United Way's Days of Caring events in October 2007. Third, the Council's 2007 National Project Homeless Connect Week will occur December 3-7, 2007. Forty cities took part in the 2006 National Week. But now, please read on to see how some of your neighbors - housed and homeless alike - "connected" last week, and, in keeping with the theme of the 2007 National Volunteer Week, did indeed "inspire by example."

Philip F. Mangano
Executive Director

FORT WORTH, TEXAS. The nation's eighteenth largest city can be added to the growing list of reports of a decrease in street or chronic homelessness. Fort Worth, which last week convened its inaugural Project Homeless Connect event, has newly reported a 42% drop in the most recent count of its unsheltered population, according to the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition and Mayor Michael Moncrief's Advisory Commission on Homelessness, led by Chair Ralph McCloud.

"Fort Worth is saying clearly that they're going to be part of the solution," indicated United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, who joined Mayor Moncrief for the city's Project Connect event. "And today is part of that solution: Project Homeless Connect is all about welcoming our homeless neighbors back into our community and providing the resources all in one place to create the trajectory to end their homelessness." Director Mangano and Mayor Moncrief are pictured here greeting some of the arriving guests at the Connect site.

In recognition of National Volunteer Week, Director Mangano also presented the Presidential Volunteer Service Silver Award to Michael Doyle, Executive Director of Fort Worth's Cornerstone Assistance Network, a nationally recognized, locally focused, faith-based organization serving Fort Worth and Tarrant County, Texas. In presenting the award, Director Mangano noted that Mr. Doyle serves his community in many capacities, including as Chairman and President of the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, as a Board Member of the Texas Homeless Network and Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, as an Advisory Board Member for the Faith and Service Technical Education Network, (FASTEN) Program, and as both Governors Bush and Perry's appointee to the Interagency Council for the Homeless in Texas, as well as Governor Perry's appointee as the Texas Liaison to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. Director Mangano is pictured here at left with Mike and Kay Doyle.

In addition to the City of Fort Worth, other sponsors of the Project Homeless Connect event were Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, Price Waterhouse Coopers, and Broadway Baptist Church, which hosted the event. Over 415 guests received assistance from 150 volunteers and 45 vendors. Volunteers included police, health workers, attorneys and representatives from Job Corps NW Texas Outreach & Admissions, Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth, Salvation Army of Tarrant County, Samaritan House, Fort Worth Housing Authority, Tarrant County Public Health, Harris Hospital, Milwood Hospital, Prevent Blindness Texas, Goodrich Center for the Deaf, Pregnancy Health Center, and the United States Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs. Michael German of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness also participated.

DENVER, COLORADO. Showing once again that results are infectious and innovation is always in reach, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Mile High United Way Michael K. Durkin partnered last week with the University of Denver as UD hosted the City's fourth successful Project Homeless Connect (PHC4) and the first ever sponsored by a university. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano joined jurisdictional, civic, and university leaders for the event where 525 people were served. Metro Denver can now report a new 23% decrease in its homeless census, exceeding its 2006 report of an 11% reduction.

University of Denver Chancellor Robert D. Coombe opened the doors of Gates Field House in the Ritchie Center for people experiencing homelessness to access the offerings of more than sixty organizations, including medical care, employment and educational services, legal assistance, permanent housing, hygiene kits, and Social Security benefits and food stamps.

"Today I am proud to join Mayor Hickenlooper and all the community volunteers who will once again make Project Homeless Connect a day of hospitality and welcome for Denver's poorest citizens," indicated Director Mangano. "And I 'm also proud to represent the President during National Volunteer Week and to honor citizens of Denver who have made outstanding contributions to their community on behalf of their homeless neighbors." Director Mangano also extended his thanks to Department of Human Services Manager Roxane White and 10-Year Plan Manager Jamie van Leeuwen, who recommended the awardees for recognition. Council Regional Coordinator Charlene Flaherty also took part in the event. Dr. Eric Fretz, Director, of the University's Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, who is leading the local homelessness research intiative, was also present.

Randle Loeb received the Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award for his work on the Denver Homeless Commission and in recognition of his life as a formerly homeless individual. Scott Binder of Comcast received the Silver Award for his work in sponsoring the third Project Homeless Connect in October, 2006. Cindy Parson, Tiffany Payne, and all employees of Comcast in Denver were recognized.

"Thank you for the work that you are doing and for the gift that you bestowed on me on behalf of the President of the United States . . . It is good that we have a supporter and friend, and one who has established the work of the Federal Interagency Council in all avenues of government.," said Randle Loeb. "I believe there is a spiritual connection that requires us to work for the well being of each other, especially during these troubled times. This is why I have dedicated my life to working on issues of homelessness and poverty."

"We believe that one of the most important investments we can make as citizens is to support our community through local partnerships," said Comcast Senior Vice President, Scott Binder. "Partnering with Denver's Road Home and participating in Project Homeless Connect has truly inspired the employees at Comcast, and we are honored to receive this important award. This award is representative of our employees and their families who have generously given of their time and talents to help improve our communities."

Services offered for homeless persons at the event included health care, housing, job interviewing and search, haircuts, food stamps and benefits acquisition, legal assistance and a homeless court, where more than two dozen people had their cases heard. Volunteers worked one- on-one with homeless individuals and families, utilizing their expertise to assist homeless individuals and families. Child care was designed and provided by students from the University's education department and students and staff fluent in Spanish escorted Spanish speaking homeless persons through the Ritchie Center. Regis University nursing students and faculty provided healthcare services for the Project Homeless Connect events with the goal of reducing the burden of health care costs by providing preventative and direct care, thereby reducing the frequency of future hospital visits. Nursing students and trained faculty conducted health assessments and treatment, along with copies of health records and a list of local healthcare resources to patients St. Joseph's Hospital mammogram van and the Porter Health van provided patients with access to a mini-clinic. As part of their educational experience in preparation for service at PHC, nursing students at Regis treated homeless persons on the streets for the past ten weeks, doing minor treatments and offering education and resources.

Denver University began forming partnerships with the city after the Provost's Conference in October 2006, hosted by DU Provost Gregg Kvistad. At the conference, University officials began exploring ways to more formally join research and service efforts with the city's agenda. Ending homelessness was identified as a key area for collaboration. In the months leading up to the event, DU designated $25,000 in grant money to fund three research projects that will utilize PHC as a research opportunity and contribute to Denver's Road Home. Faculty and students have already begun monitoring the attitudinal change among volunteers, conducting pre-event surveys when the registered to participate. Shortly after the PHC event, volunteers will receive a post- event survey. Another study will focus on health care savings as it related to PHC.

Pictured here are (left to right): Mile High United Way President Durkin, Denver University Chancellor Coombe, Awardee Scott Binder, Mayor Hickenlooper, Director Mangano, and Awardee Randle Loeb.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC. American Express, Target, Branch Banking and Trust (BB&T), Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP, and Krispy Kreme were among the corporate volunteers and sponsors for Winston-Salem's first Project Homeless Connect last week at the city's LJVM Annex. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano joined Winston-Salem Mayor Alan Joines and Forsyth County United Way 10-Year Plan Director Andrea Kurtz for the event, where over 375 individuals were served by 180 local volunteers. The offices of Senator Richard Burr and Representative Mel Watt were also present.

Peter Moorman, now an onsite residential manager for Winston-Salem's Experiment in Self-Reliance's (ESR) Permanent Supportive Housing Program, told the volunteers his own experience of five years' of homelessness and urged those attending to use services, including health care, family support resources, legal advice, haircuts, and housing referrals. More than fifteen housing placements were made.

In recognition of the National Volunteer Week, Director Mangano presented United Way 10-Year Plan leader Andrea Kurtz with the Presidential Volunteer Service Bronze Award. Ms. Kurtz is also a member of the Board of the NC Coalition against Domestic Violence and has worked in the area of domestic violence for more than 20 years as a peer advocate for teens, a peer educator, victim advocate, and attorney. She supports the Family Services of Forsyth, Stokes, and Davies Counties Family Justice Center and is a weekly Volunteer at the Samaritan Inn shelter. Using the legal education she sought in hopes of someday making a difference for her neighbors, she is a volunteer lawyer in housing cases for Legal Aid of North Carolina. Director Mangano is pictured here presenting Ms. Kurtz with her award.

FAYETTEVILLE, NC. Fayetteville Mayor Toney Chavonne, Cumberland County Commissioner Billy King, North Carolina state homelessness point person Martha Are, and United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Regional Coordinator Eddie Woodhouse welcomed 270 homeless consumers and 30 volunteers to Fayetteville's first- ever Project Homeless Connect last week. Part of the City and County 10-Year Plan, Project Homeess Connect offered health services (blood pressure, HIV, diabetes screenings and vaccinations), mental health counseling, and housing and shelter leads. Consumers could receive haircuts, showers, legal referrals, identification cards, and lunch.

Pictured here are (left to right) 1st Baptist Church Minister Cureton L. Johnson, Council Regional Coordinator Eddie Woodhouse, NC Homelessness Point Person Martha Are, 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness Steering Committee Chair Robert Hines, Fayetteville Mayor Tony Chavonne, and Cumberland County Commissioners Chair Billy King.

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA. About 150 volunteers turned out to welcome over 100 homeless people during the first-ever Project Homeless Connect in the City of Salinas and Monterey County, California. The inaugural Connect event featured housing, employment, and education services, medical and substance abuse treatment services, counseling and legal services, general assistance, Social Security services, library and postcard services, haircuts, transportation, veterans services, and bike repair,

Salinas Mayor Dennis Donahue and United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Regional Coordinator Ed Cabrera welcomed volunteers. Other officials in attendance included Monterey County Department of Social and Employment Services Director Elliot Robinson, Salinas Redevelopment Project Manager Don Reynolds, and Social Security Administration Salinas District Manager Anthony Young.

SAN FRANCISCO. Results were in evidence, as was the theme of the 2007 National Volunteer Week - "Inspire by Example" - on April 11 at the City's 16th Project Homeless Connect event, as two formerly homeless individuals were recognized for their volunteer contributions to the innovative engagement event. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano presented Lisa Wheeler and Henry Belton with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for their contributions to the event during National Volunteer Week. See other e-news stories here describing Project Connect events in several cities that have newly adopted the San Francisco innovation developed under the leadership of Mayor Gavin Newsom and 10-Year Plan Chair Angela Alioto.

In presenting the awards, Director Mangano noted that Lisa Wheeler first came to PHC as a client and was assisted with short-term and then permanent housing. She re-connected and began to volunteer with PHC at the bi-monthly events, as a participant at the speakers' and peer meetings, and recently as a weekly PHC team member assisting others.

Henry Belton, also formerly homeless, began to volunteer with PHC early last year. Originally, Henry came to PHC as a homeless client and connected to services there. Housed, in recovery, and facilitating other peers, Henry returned to PHC to volunteer. In the past year he has been a consistent, supportive and valuable member of the volunteer team. Recently he was appointed to be a member of the San Francisco shelter monitoring committee.

1125 San Francisco volunteers assisted almost 1950 clients with benefits assistance (SSI, Food stamps, GA), employment opportunities, HIV testing, consults with a Podiatrist, medical care, legal assistance, wheelchair repair, dental screenin, mental health and substance abuse services,. Over 400 people received eyeglasses, over 200 California State ID's were issued, and almost 700 people were able to re- connect to friends and families through phone calls and voicemail accounts. Over 100 individuals who were sleeping on the street were placed in a combination of shelters and stabilization rooms.

WASHINGTON, DC. The United States Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) has announced the availability of $8.2 million in a Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program grant competition geared at helping homeless veterans in both urban and non-urban areas achieve reintegration into society, as well as to help the workforce system develop useful ways to address the homeless veterans population. Awards are available for up to $300,000 for grants serving urban areas, and up to $200,000 for grants serving non-urban areas. Deadline for applications is May 14, 2007.

Awards will provide job counseling, training, and placement services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into the workforce through a client- focused case management process that combines Federal, State, and Local resources. Interested applicants should read the entire announcement for details.

For purposes of this announcement, eligible organizations must familiar with the area as well as the general population that will be served, as well as have the ability to administer an "effective and timely program." Applicants may include: for-profit commercial entities, non-profit organizations, 501 (c) (3) organizations, public agencies, and State/Local Workforce Agencies.

National Technical Assistance Center. DOL has also announced the availability of $500,000 in funds for a cooperative agreement to assist in developing a National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC) for the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP). The primary objective of the HVRP NTAC will be to provide general technical assistance on veterans' homelessness programs and issues to existing HVRP grantees (approximately 80 grantees nationwide), potential HVRP applicants, employers, Veterans Service Organizations, Federal, State, and local agency partners, non-profit organizations (including faith- based and community organizations), the general public, and other interested stakeholders. Interested applicants should read the entire announcement in detail; applications are due May 14, 2007.

Successful applicants will assist USDOL-VETS by providing general technical assistance and guidance to eligible HVRP entities relating to assistance for homeless veterans under the HVRP and related programs that assist homeless veterans. Applicants will also be responsible for developing, conducting, and documenting extensive outreach efforts to national, state, and local employers to increase their awareness of HVRP and its objectives in order to increase job opportunities for homeless veterans. Applicants will be responsible for assisting USDOL- VETS by contacting current HVRP grantees in order to extract, document, and share at least 20 best HVRP practices with other HVRP grantees and potential applicants. Finally, applicants will assist USDOL- VETS by conducting general research and studies as determined by USDOL-VETS.

HVRP annually receives thousands of nationwide inquiries via telephone, written correspondence, and e-mail concerning homeless veterans and HVRP in general. The awardees will be responsible for answering 100 percent of these technical assistance inquiries. Applicants are to be aware of and assist USDOL-VETS and their grantees in implementing the HVRP objectives: 1) To provide services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force, and 2) to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. Under this solicitation for cooperative agreements covering Program Year 2007, VETS anticipates that up to $500,000 will be available for a cooperative agreement awards up to a maximum total award of $500,000. Depending on the quality and content of the applications received, USDOL-VETS expects to award 1-2 cooperative agreements.

The period of performance for this PY 2007 cooperative agreement will be July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Two optional years of additional funding may be available, depending upon Congressional appropriations, the agency's decision to exercise the optional year(s) of funding, and awardee(s) satisfactory technical and financial performance.

Responsible Reintegration of Youthful Offenders. DOL's Employment and Training Administration has also announced a competition for grants totaling approximately $5 million for faith-based and community organizations and government agencies to address the specific workforce challenges of ex- offenders and produce positive outcomes with a particular focus on employment and reduced recidivism. Applications for the Responsible Reintegration of Youthful Offender grant funds are due May 25, 2007.

Grant funds awarded under this competition will be used to implement a consumer-focused and partnership-driven program of services for ex- offenders (ages 18 to 29) under a beneficiary-choice contracting model. The beneficiary choice contracting model involves providing program participants with an independent choice among multiple service providers for specific services. Participants will receive case management services from the grantee, but will choose among contracted specialized service providers for more in-depth services, including soft- skills training and long-term follow up on participant outcomes. The grantee will compensate the contracted specialized service providers on a per capita basis for services provided, as well as per capita performance-based incentives.

ETA intends to fund grants for five projects, to serve 225 individuals (age 18 to 29) through the adult criminal justice system, per year, at an average annual grant amount of $1,000,000 per site. Applicants may submit proposals within the range of $800,000 to $1,200,000. Applicants should read the entire announcement for details. There will be an informational webinar held for this grant competition. Information on the date/time of this webinar and a recording for applicants who can be found at http://www.dol.gov/cfbci/webinar-20070427.htm.

Applicants must be either a faith-based or community organization that is exempt from taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) at the time of application submission, or a government agency (such as a Workforce Investment Board, One-Stop Career Center, corrections agency, State or local government, housing authority). The applicant will be the lead organization that will represent a partnership system that consists of the public workforce system, the local corrections agency and other social services providers (including faith-based and community organizations). At least one of the contracted specialized service providers offered to participants must offer a program that contains no religious content.

WASHINGTON, DC. United States Department of health and Human Services Secretary and United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Chair HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt has announced more than $1.1 billion in funding to help states and territories provide care, medications and services for low- income individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Most of the funds, $775 million, will support state ADAP programs, which provide life-saving medications to HIV/AIDS patients. HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration administers the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program under which the awards were made.

"For more than 15 years, Ryan White programs have been the lifeline for thousands of individuals living with HIV/AIDS," Secretary Leavitt said. "The new legislation will greatly expand our ability to serve them with more effective care and services." The grants are awarded under Part B of Title XXVI of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, as amended by the newly enacted Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006. Part B of Title XXVI of the PHS Act was previously referred to as Title II of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act, the predecessor statute. The awards include Part B base grants, AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) grants, and Emerging Community (EC) grants. The reauthorized Ryan White law requires that Part B grantees spend 75 percent of their grant award on core medical services and that ADAPs maintain a core list of antiretroviral drugs in their formularies.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCES $10.1 MILLION FOR RURAL HOUSING WASHINGTON, DC. The United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service has announced the availability of $10.1 million in resources for up to fifty awards to preserve housing for very low income people in rural areas. The Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program provides qualified public agencies, private nonprofit organizations, and other eligible entities grant funds to assist very low- and low-income homeowners in repairing and rehabilitating their homes in rural areas. In addition, the HPG program assists rental property owners and cooperative housing complexes in repairing and rehabilitating their units if they agree to make such units available to low- and very low- income persons. Applications are due June 16, 2007. Interested applicants should read the full announcement for details.

MORE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES WASHINGTON, DC. The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI), under the leadership of Director Jay Hein, has announced the latest in its new series of regional conferences in partnership with states across the country. These events are designed to connect effective social service organizations with resources that can strengthen and expand the services they offer to the people they serve.

The next conference will convene on May 15-16 at the Phoenix Convention Center. As in the past, the conferences will provide an understanding of the President's Faith-Based and Community Initiative, information about the federal grants process and funding opportunities, and the basic legal responsibilities that come with federal funding. In addition, special emphasis will be placed on opportunities for partnership at the state and local level. These opportunities range from funding provided through grants and contracts, to non- financial partnerships like mutual-referral relationships with local government agencies, to government services that can supplement the aid nonprofits provide to their clients.

Beginning in 2001, President Bush has signed a series of Executive Orders creating federal agency Centers for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Nine member federal agencies of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness have created such centers: Departments of Commerce, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeless Security, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, and Veterans Affairs, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

For example, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability and Employment Policy has recently made available a brochure to help faith-based and community organizations understand federal requirements for including individuals with disabilities in their programs and activities. DOL's Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and Civil Rights Center also contributed to this new publication.

The brochure, Demystifying Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, is was developed in response to questions received by the Department. It is available free of charge on-line. www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/faith.htm. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires recipients of federal financial assistance, including faith-based and community organizations, to take certain positive actions to make their facilities and services accessible and available to people with disabilities.

Thirty -one Governors of the states have also designated state liaisons or offices.

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