ServeNext Bay Area Kickoff Event

Local service organizations and leaders join forces to launch ServeNext Bay Area,

a new advocacy network aimed at expanding national service and promoting service as a solution for addressing the Bay Area's most pressing problems.

On Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 nonprofit leaders from across the Bay Area will gather for the official kick-off of ServeNext Bay Area.  The Bay Area was selected as one of ten areas by ServeNext.org to build a local grassroots network of service stakeholders for the purpose of advocating for the expansion of national service and promoting service as a solution for addressing America's most pressing problems to key decision makers.  The Bay Area was selected because of its long history of community service and prominent Members of Congress such as Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Lee who have significant influence on service issues and funding.

On April 21, 2009, President Obama signed the historic "Kennedy Serve America Act", the largest expansion of service programs in 75 years.  Despite the economic crisis, the national volunteer rate went up to 26.8 percent in 2009, with 63.4 million volunteers donating approximately 8.1 billion hours of service in communities across the country.  In California, 7 million volunteers contributed 938 million hours of service.  However, the promise and vision of the Kennedy Serve America Act could be dramatically compromised by unpredictable political winds and ever diminishing resources.  ServeNext Bay Area is seeking to educate decision makers and the general public about the critical role service organizations play in addressing our most pressing challenges, especially in tough economic times. 

"Service is more than volunteering once a year," says Kike Aluko, ServeNext Bay Area's local organizer.  "These service programs prepare and give young adults the skills and experience for long-term employment opportunities down the road once the economy recovers, while at the same time addressing the Bay Area's education, environmental, poverty, and other social challenges. It is up to us, as the service community in the Bay Area, to make sure our decision makers are aware of the important work being done every day in the Bay Area and understand the benefit and value, especially in these tough times, of national and community service."

Members of the community are invited to attend and participate.

What: ServeNext Bay Area Kick-Off Event

• Leaders and members of the Bay Area service community are gathering for the launch of ServeNext Bay Area.
• ServeNext Bay Area will build a local grassroots network of service stakeholders for the purpose of advocating for the expansion of national service and promoting service as a solution for addressing America's most pressing problems to key decision makers.

Who: Nonprofit leaders and service stakeholders from across the Bay Area

Where: Sweet Connections, 430 San Mateo Avenue, San Bruno, CA 94066           

When: Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 at 7:00pm

Additional Contact:

Jerry Saavedra
915.328.4533
jsaavedra@servenext.org