Tuesday, August 26, 2008

VISTA Landscaping Project

AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates have been landscaping in the Normandy Drive area in recent weeks. Our work in the Normandy and Manor Drive neighborhood of Iowa City began earlier this summer when VISTAs coordinated sandbag removal efforts there. Now that the sandbags are gone, the cleanup and restoration can begin.


(Yearlong VISTA Dan Babb rakes a yard on Normandy Drive in Iowa City on Saturday, August 23.)

If you're interested in volunteering, please contact our United Way of Johnson County Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

AmeriCorps VISTA Reflection

For many people, the flood of 2008 is behind us. Kirkwood Community College began their fall term this week, and the University of Iowa begins classes next Monday. As fall approaches, many might assume that the work here is done. Conversely, a drive past City Park on north Dubuque Street is a great example that the flood recovery process has only just begun.

For many AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates, their two-month long terms are ending. For some, the experience is already over. We've worked hard this summer to remove every sandbag in our community; to provide assistance to every homeowner that's needed it; and to build a sustainable recovery system in the Iowa City-Coralville area. Many of our volunteers are beginning to help flood victims in their landscaping efforts. To plant grass seed and flowers is an indication that we can begin to return to a sense of normalcy. But right now, we can only do it one house at a time.

Anybody who is interested in assisting us this fall should contact the United Way of Johnson County Volunteer Center (319-337-8657) to see how they can help in the recovery process. From incoming UI students to longterm Iowa City and Coralville residents, it's important that we come together when our community needs us most. For me, these eight weeks have been some of the most rewarding of my life.


Rob Verhein, AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate

Monday, August 18, 2008

KWWL Covers Hills Event

KWWL Cedar Rapids-Iowa City (an NBC news affiliate) visited the Hills area on Saturday to report about our progress there. To read their article, click here.

Hills Sandbag Removal to Continue

On Saturday, more than 150 volunteers helped AmeriCorps VISTAs remove sandbags from the city of Hills, ten miles south of Iowa City. Volunteers from Procter & Gamble, the University of Colorado, and the city of Hills were in attendance.

Due to the large volume of sandbags in the Hills area, the project will continue tomorrow, the 19th. If you're interesting in assisting, please contact our United Way Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us at vols@unitedwayjc.org.

Pictures from Saturday's event will be posted later this afternoon.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Press-Citizen Writes about Rebuilding Effort

Today's edition of the Iowa City Press-Citizen includes a story about AmeriCorps' partnership with the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity. Our AmeriCorps United Way team captain Michelle Wichman spoke to the Press-Citizen's reporter for this story.

To view the article, click here or pick up a copy of today's Press-Citizen.

Hills Project Update

Just a reminder that AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers will be working in Hills this Saturday to remove the city's sandbags. In May, before the height of this summer's flooding, the city came together to construct a floodwall--fortunately, the area was spared of any major damage.

Several volunteer groups will be assisting us this weekend, but we're looking for more hands to help us. We'll be tackling both the east side and north side sandbag walls, and will continue working in Hills on Tuesday the 19th if the job isn't finished this Saturday.

If you have any questions about the project, or are interested in volunteering, call our United Way of Johnson County Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us at vols@unitedwayjc.org.

Monday, August 11, 2008

More "ToGather Together" Photos

Last Friday, AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers worked at the Coralville United Methodist Church to sort clothing items in preparation for their distribution on Saturday, August 9. The event was part of the ToGather Together project, which seeks to provide clothing and school supplies to low-income families.


(AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates Gladys Grane (left) and Jennifer Holder (center) sort clothes with United Way team captain Michelle Wichman (right) on August 8 in Coralville.)


(VISTA Summer Associate Katie Zenker working at the Coralville United Methodist Church on August 8.)

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Hills Sandbag Removal Project Announced

AmeriCorps VISTA has coordinated a sandbag removal event with the city of Hills, located about eight miles south of Iowa City. The Hills community came together in June to build a floodwall along the east and north sides of town--fortunately, they were spared from any flooding. Since then, however, the city has been unable to remove the sandbags.

That's where we need your help.

On Saturday, August 16 and Tuesday, August 19, volunteers will be working in Hills to remove the sandbags. We will begin at around 8:30 AM and work through lunch; snacks and beverages will be provided both days.

If you're interested in volunteering--or would like to learn more about the event--please contact our United Way of Johnson County Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us at vols@unitedwayjc.org.

Please refer to the below map for driving directions from the Iowa City area to Hills. The city is located just off of Hwy. 218, eight miles south of Iowa City.


View Larger Map

ToGather-Together Photos

Volunteers worked this morning to help the ToGather-Together project at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Iowa City. For more information about the project, refer to the previous post or view it here.


(AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate Hillary Hott (right) works with yearlong VISTA Linda Yanney at St. Mark's United Methodist Church on August 7.)


(VISTA Summer Associates Jennifer Holder (left) and Gladys Grane (right) arrange notebooks at St. Mark's United Methodist Church on August 7.)

AmeriCorps Helping ToGather-Together Project

Volunteers from AmeriCorps, the United Way of Johnson County, and the Johnson County Crisis Center are helping the ToGather-Together project this weekend. Volunteers are sorting clothing and school supplies for area students, and will be distributing them on Saturday from the Coralville United Methodist Church at 806 13th Avenue in Coralville. (See map below for details.)


View Larger Map

According to the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, the ToGather-Together project is "community-wide effort to systematically collect and distribute back-to-school supplies so that every low income youth starts school with supplies. We believe that by pooling our efforts and resources, we will ensure that all needy children are reached and that no child is left behind."

For more information about how you can help with this project (or any other ongoing projects to help low-income families or flood victims), please contact our United Way Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

VISTAs Help Flood Victims Relocate

Since June's devastating flooding, we've heard many stories of neighbors coming together to assist one another--but this might be one of the most inspirational yet:

During the height of June's flooding, a Coralville resident was evacuated from her apartment and moved to a temporary shelter. Her husband, having suffered a stroke, was being tended to at the UIHC.

When the man's nurse overheard the family discussing how they'd lost just about everything in the flood, their nurse offered to donate her furniture (couch, television, and even a bed) to help the family get back on their feet.


(Pictured: AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates Hillary Hott and Hassan Abdelkarim.)

Yesterday, AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers moved the furniture into the couple's new apartment in Iowa City. We would like to thank Big Ten rental for providing a moving truck free of charge.


(Pictured: Summer Associate Matt Schnell and United Way Team Captain Michelle Wichman.)

If you're a flood victim that needs assistance (or somebody who would like to help provide assistance to those in need), contact our United Way of Johnson County Volunteer center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us at vols@unitedwayjc.org.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Lt. Governor Judge Photos

As promised late last week, photos of Lt. Governor Patty Judge meeting with AmeriCorps VISTAs have arrived. Special thanks to Laura Riordan for sharing them with us.


(Lt. Governor Judge spoke with AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates Danielle Steger, Libby Dobbs, and Jason Treloar on July 31 in Coralville.)


(Lt. Governor Judge and Iowa National Guard Major General Ron Dardis talk to Habitat for Humanity's Chris Shipley.)

Monday, August 4, 2008

Sandbags Continue to Disappear

AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers, working with the United Way of Johnson County, the Johnson County Crisis Center, and other organizations worked throughout the weekend to remove sandbags from several more areas of Iowa City. Volunteers worked on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the Idyllwild neighborhood of Iowa City (near Taft Speedway) and around the Crisis Center and Salvation Army on Gilbert Court. On Sunday, volunteers came together to remove sandbags from the Iowa City synagogue.

For more information about how you can help, call our United Way Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us at vols@unitedwayjc.org.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Lt. Governor Judge Visits Coralville

Iowa Lt. Governor Patty Judge visited recovery workers on Edgewater Drive in Coralville yesterday afternoon. Judge met with both AmeriCorps VISTA and Habitat for Humanity volunteers working at the neighborhood that borders the Iowa River.

Both Governor Chet Culver and Judge were in Cedar Rapids yesterday for a Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission meeting and the first 'Speak Up Iowa!' meeting.

Please visit our website throughout the day for photos related to Lt. Judge's visit.

For more information about the meetings in Cedar Rapids--or to read the governor's press release--visit the state of Iowa's website here.