AmeriCorps members from all over the Quad Cities came together last month to make Martin Luther King Day a day ON, not a day off! The “What’s My Mission Now?” event was created by the Davenport Volunteer Connection (DVC) to help returning military veterans integrate into the civilian workforce. The event provided a panel on transitioning out of military life, connecting with educational and career resources, and civilianizing your resume. After the panel, veterans could visit booths to learn more about community resources for veterans and work with experts who reviewed and critiqued their resumes.
Following the Community Foundation’s emphasis on working through partnerships, in December our AmeriCorps members joined with others serving at Friendly House, the American Red Cross, and the City of Davenport to plan how we could support this event in various ways. We helped promote it, spreading the message to the general public and to organizations with connections to military veterans. We helped set up beforehand and tear down afterwards. We greeted and guided event attendees to the resources available, provided fun activities for children in the child care area, and even hosted a booth at the resource fair to let veterans know about additional options for national service – namely, AmeriCorps!
Not only did veterans get some great knowledge and support at the event itself, but Kim Hatfield from the DVC says, “From the coverage on TV I did receive several calls from other military members in the community that I was able to share resources with. A few businesses also called that want to make hiring prior military members a priority! You never quite know how an event like this will make an impact in the community.” The impact was intergenerational, as at least two AmeriCorps members brought their children to volunteer. One proudly told people all day, “I’m volunteering!” The kids are learning early the importance and power of volunteering!
How did you “make it a day ON” for the MLK Day of Service? If you’re looking for a way to give back to your community, the Davenport Volunteer Connection provides the whole Quad City Area with an easy way to connect to volunteer opportunities. You can search opportunities by date or area of interest here.
AmeriCorps interns – Kelly and Kodie!
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