Press Release - Report on Community Needs
OFFICE OF LT. GOV. BARBARA O'BRIEN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2009
CONTACTS:
Ellen Dumm, 303.866.6361 (office), 303 829-0194 (cell) ellen.dumm@state.co.us
Toya Nelson, 303.866.2524 (office), toya.nelson@state.co.us
GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON COMMUNITY SERVICE RELEASES REPORT ON COMMUNITY NEEDS
The Governor's Commission on Community Service (GCCS) under the office of Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien, has released the results of a year-long needs assessment on community service, volunteerism, and civic engagement in targeted communities around the state.
Community outreach visits were made to Greeley, Grand Junction, Pueblo, Lamar, Durango and Alamosa in compiling the report. Findings from the report will now be used to help the GCCS and other state and local agencies direct resources, including federal stimulus dollars, to meet these needs.
"Although there are significant and important commonalities across the state, each community has its own rich and vibrant history," said Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien. "Our community resources should be directed to the priority needs expressed by the communities themselves."
The findings of the report identify community service needs in seven categories, including: civic engagement, youth development, early childhood services, education, health, serving people with disabilities, and energy and conservation. These findings will be used to direct AmeriCorps grant program funds and to advise other state agencies and local governments of service needs in communities across the state.
The needs assessment report comes as Colorado, along with the rest of the nation, is preparing to implement a landmark expansion of community service through the recent passage of the Kennedy Community Service Act. The federal legislation expands the AmeriCorps program nationwide, and creates new opportunities for community service, civic engagement and volunteerism. It creates new community service corps initiatives in energy, education, health, and veterans services. With the report complete, Colorado will be able to immediately and directly link new resources and services with the priority needs expressed by local communities themselves.
For questions regarding the Colorado Needs Assessment Report or the other initiatives of the Governor's Commission on Community Service, please contact the commission staff at 303.866.6426. To view an online version of the report, visit http://www.colorado.gov/gccs/needsassessmentreports.html.