James Taylor - Serve Virginia

James Taylor

May 3, 2023

Making Sure No Child Falls Through the Cracks

We are excited to congratulate Virginia native James Taylor, who was recently honored at the AmeriCorps State Symposium for exemplary efforts in disability inclusion. James, who struggled with a learning disability himself, was one of four honorees for the Tom Harkin Excellence in AmeriCorps Awards. Serving as a Public Allies Chicago AmeriCorps member, James revolutionized how Chicago Public Schools tracked their diverse learners and brought a great level of proficiency and expertise to his work because of his similar life experiences. As a student with special needs, James said he was allowed to fall through the cracks, and through his service wanted to ensure that no child would be allowed to do the same. Congratulations James! (Pictured: AmeriCorps Director Bill Basl, honoree James Taylor, and Corporation for National and Community Service CEO Wendy Spencer.) More about the winners.

RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

Rosealee Maxey

Story of Service: Rosealee Maxey

Rosealee Maxey, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia Senior Corps – Senior Companion of the Year - Senior Companions are volunteers age 55 and over who make a difference by providing assistance and friendship to adults who have difficulty with daily living tasks, such as shopping or paying bills. Rosealee Maxey is always there for the seniors she serves in her Hampton Roads senior apartment complex -- coordinating activities and meals for the residents, providing transportation to doctor’s appointments, taking her clients out for manicures and pedicures, and even traveling to the hospital daily when one of her clients became ill. Read...

Kids Give Back

Story of Service: Kids Give Back

Established as a nonprofit in 2019, Kids Give Back grew out of an afterschool club and a realization that there were not enough opportunities for children between 6 and 12 years old to volunteer. Since then, over 300 volunteers have completed over 3,000 volunteer hours, contributing over 2,000 in-kind donations in 2022. Youth are engaged in virtual volunteer events, Family Volunteer Days, Summer Volunteer Camps and more. Every project completed meets an identified need in the community, while inspiring the next generation of volunteers. Volunteer leaders and board ensure that students are actively engaged in projects that make a difference...

Carolyn Kruger

Story of Service: Carolyn Kruger

Carolyn Kruger, a nurse from Purcellville, VA, recently received an award from Project HOPE for her outstanding dedication to service. Kruger volunteered 1,200 hours to Project HOPE in 2018, working at HOPE’s headquarters and in Sierra Leone developing a maternal child health program. Founded in 1958, Project HOPE is a leader in global health and humanitarian relief programs. An international nonprofit organization, we are committed to transforming lives and uplifting communities by empowering health-care workers to teach and deliver innovative, lifesaving solutions, every day and in times of crisis. With programs in nearly 30 countries, we work at the epicenter of...

The Hope Center

Story of Service: The Hope Center

Congratulations to The Hope Center of Petersburg - winner of the 2020 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Community Organization! The Hope Center, which serves as the community outreach of Downtown Churches United, Inc. (DCU), contributes more than 14,000 hours of service to the Petersburg community annually. Providing hunger and financial relief services, The Hope Center operates the Daily Feeding Program, which includes a food pantry, help with paying utility bill payments, and regular blood pressure screenings. The Hope Center is Petersburg's largest social service charity dedicated to alleviating hunger. Access to healthy food and hunger are critical...

Eddie Van Zandt

Story of Service: Eddie Van Zandt

Edwina "Eddie" Van Zandt serves as a Foster Grandma in the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program at Senior Connections. She first got involved with the Foster Grandparents program eight years ago, at the recommendation of her friend, Barbara, who also continues to serve in the program. “It’s been a joyful experience,” says Eddie. She recalls, “Barbara was talking about Foster Grandparents and I thought, 'well how do I get involved in that.' I've always worked with kids and even taught preschool so she got me interested and I got involved.” Since then, she has served in the day care...

Richmond CASA

Story of Service: Richmond CASA

As one of the January 2024 Serve Virginia Honor Roll honorees, Richmond Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) works to ensure that children don’t face the courts and foster care system alone. CASA volunteers (CASAs) advocate for what is in the child’s best interest and help to reduce the time a child spends in the court system and/or in foster care. They advocate for children to make sure their preferences and needs are being heard by those who are responsible for making decisions. CASAs spend time with the child and speak to relatives, service providers, teachers, and social workers to gather...

What’s Your Volunteer Personality?

Pair your passion with purpose. Take our Volunteer Personality Quiz and find out which volunteer direction is best for you.