Annual Report January 1 - December 31, 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS

About Us...... 4 National Service...... 6 Grantee Funding...... 7 Grantee Overview...... 8 Impact ...... 10 Highlights ...... 11 Community Engagement...... 12 Summer of Service ...... 13 Days of Service ...... 14 Volunteer Recognition ...... 15 Volunteer Management Training...... 16 Highlights ...... 17 Disaster Service...... 18 Spontaneous Volunteer Management Training ...... 19 State Emergency Response Team ...... 20 Highlights...... 21 Financials...... 22 Commissioners and Staff...... 23

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear Friends in Service and , For UServeUtah 2015 was a year filled with inspiration and momentum. It was also a year of transitions in many ways and reflecting back I am so proud of our achievements and grateful for your efforts to make them a reality. In 2015 Utah marked a decade of ranking #1 in the county for volunteerism. This is an amazing milestone and was accomplished because thousands of Utahns choose every day to make a difference in the lives of those around them. This Annual Report is an attempt to briefly highlight UServeUtah’s work to harness these efforts and direct them for impact across the state. Thank you again for your selfless service to Utah communities. Looking ahead I see amazing possibilities in the coming decade and I invite you to join us as we focus on making a difference in Utah! Sincerely,

Director, UServeUtah Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism

2 VOLUNTEERING IN UTAH

Utah #1 in Volunteering | 46% of Utahns Volunteer | 193.7 Million Hours of Service Ten Years in a Row! Last Year 953,990 Utahns Volunteered! Each year, the Volunteering and Civic Life in America report is released by the Corporation for National and and the National Conference on Citizenship. For the tenth consecutive year, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has ranked Utah first in the U.S. for voluntarism because of Utahns’ generosity and their commitment to improving their communities. For the first time, Salt Lake City ranked #1 in the nation for metropolitan-sized cities. Provo and Ogden ranked #1 and #2 respectively for mid- sized cities.

Economic Impact 4.5 Billion Dollars in Service Contributed

Comparing Utah to the Nation

Percentage of People who Volunteer Hours per Year per Resident

91.7 hours in Utah

32.1 hours in U.S. 25% 46% U.S. Utah

3 ABOUT THE COMMISSION

UServeUtah, the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism, was created by state statute in 1994 and is comprised of 20 members representing local government, community based organizations, and statewide networks, as well as 5 staff. As the state’s central coordinating body for service and volunteerism, the Commission is responsible for developing, implementing, and sustaining a vision and culture of civic engagement and national and community service within the state. Since its inception in 1994, UServeUtah has focused on increasing the capacity of organizations to serve, strengthen and transform communities through service and volunteerism. It furthers its mission by: promoting volunteerism, administering National Service programs, connecting people with opportunities to serve, building organizational capacity for effective volunteer engagement, and participating in strategic initiatives that mobilize volunteers to meet local needs.

PURPOSE The purpose of UServeUtah, the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism, is to enable individuals, communities, and organizations in Utah to benefit from the service, power, skills, and passion of volunteers.

MISSION Our mission is to strengthen Utah communities through the power of service and volunteerism.

VISION Our vision is to have vibrant productive communities with active engaged citizens.

Core values: • We believe that volunteerism is a uniquely American form of civic engagement that is fundamental to our democracy and critical to our communities. • We believe volunteers build strong communities and have a lasting impact on local needs. • Utah volunteers are exceptional. They are willing to make the time, and the connections that come from reaching out in service to and with others. • We know that volunteers are bedrock in any community. Neighborhoods where volunteers gather and serve are more vibrant, safe, and engaged. • Volunteering collectively grows bonds across various experiences, beliefs, backgrounds and barriers. • People who volunteer feel a unique sense of ownership and responsibility and are in turn transformed by the experience.

4 2014-2016 STRATEGIC PLAN

Promote & Inspire statewide National Build & Cultivate capacity in the volunteer Service and volunteerism. Utah and service community. A primary aim has a culture of volunteerism and of UServeUtah is to help organizations UServeUtah is committed to creating effectively use service and volunteerismas a ways for Utahns to identify and strategy to fulfill their mission and to address engage in quality volunteer critical community problems. and service opportunities .

Recognize the efforts of outstanding volunteers. As our values state, Utahns are exceptional, they are willing to make the time, and the connections that come from reaching out in service to and with others. We are dedicated to recognizing and acknowledging individuals for their volunteer efforts.

NATIONAL SERVICE DISASTER SERVICES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

UServeUtah manages the UServeUtah seeks to help UServeUtah strives to build Utah AmeriCorps*State local communities plan for and cultivate capacity in program portfolio comprised coordination of spontaneous the volunteer and service of programs that target and unaffiliated volunteers community through underserved populations during disaster recovery collaboration, consensus and in the areas of: Economic efforts. In the event of a the concept of collective impact. Opportunity, Education, disaster, UServeUtah serves UServeUtah functions as a Environmental Stewardship, on the State Emergency consultant and training resource Disaster Preparedness, Healthy Response Team and is the lead to expand public/private Futures and Veterans and in coordinating volunteer and partnerships and volunteer Military Families. donations management. mobilization capacity.

5 NATIONAL SERVICE

Locations of AmeriCorps State Members Serving in Utah

6 AMERICORPS STATE GRANTEES

Program Grants Award Members Sites Focus Area BYU Family Health Social Science $20,188 117 41 Healthy Futures Utah Campus Compact $118,912 601 7* Healthy Futures & Education Mentoring for Success $324,250 36 33 Education Playworks Utah $133,000 10 7 Education Utah Healthcare Corps $278,139 24 6 Healthy Futures & Economic Opportunity Utah Preparedness and Response $132,779 19 4 Disaster Services & Corps Veterans & Military Families Utah STEM Initiative $131,051 20 7 Education Utah Conservation Corps $523,101 180 15 Environmental Stewardship Read.Graduate.Succeed $1,286,480 178 130 Education Salt Lake County MVP $194,933 18 5 Economic Opportunity

Planning Grant Canyon Country Youth Corps $50,000 N/A N/A Environmental Stewardship Total $3,192,833

AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects over 80,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, health, and homeland security. AmeriCorps’ members serve with more than 2,000 non-profits, public agencies, and community organizations. Members serve in full or part-time positions over a 10-12 month period. Upon completion of their service, members receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans. Members also have access to other benefits such as: health insurance, child care, training, and student loan forbearance during their service. Some members also receive a modest annual living allowance depending on the terms of their program.

7 AMERICORPS STATE GRANTEES

The American Red Cross of Utah AmeriCorps Program operates the Utah Preparedness and Response Corps (UPRC) and the Military Mentor Corps (MMC). Preparedness and Response Corps members work to educate individuals and communities on disaster preparedness. Military Mentor Corps members help facilitate the transition for veterans from military service to civilian life including assisting them in securing resources and benefits.

The STEM Utah AmeriCorps Program engages underprivileged youth in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Through tutoring and mentoring activities, individuals increase their knowledge of the STEM field and experience a shift in attitude, awareness, engagement, behavior and skill. STEM Utah AmeriCorps members work with students directly and facilitate mentoring and networking with STEM professionals and education institutions.

The BYU Family, Home and Social Science (FHSS) AmeriCorps Program utilizes members from the BYU FHSS student body to increase the capacity of non-profit mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities. Under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional, AmeriCorps members serve in a variety of service locations, providing direct clinical services to clients seeking treatment.

The Utah Campus Compact AmeriCorps Program utilizes students as AmeriCorps members at seven colleges and universities throughout the state. Campus Compact places AmeriCorps members who provide support to hundreds of community organizations through direct service and capacity building efforts. The work performed by AmeriCorps members increases the ability for organizations to continue providing much-needed services in the areas of education, healthy futures and economic opportunity.

Utah Conservation Corps is a statewide program that partners with federal, state, local, and nonprofit agencies to protect, restore and enhance our environment. This program engages AmeriCorps members in working to complete projects in creation, maintenance, and improvement of trail access. In addition, members participate in construction and maintenance, noxious weed removal, habitat restoration, fuels reduction, environmental education, and volunteer management. Many of the AmeriCorps members are also certified first responders, making them available for deployment in the event of an emergency or disaster situation in the United States.

The Utah Healthcare Corps, operating through the Association for Utah Community Health, places AmeriCorps members at sites across the state where they work to improve health

8 AMERICORPS STATE GRANTEES outcomes in the areas of immunization, diabetes, insurance enrollment and reduction of health disparities for special populations. Members work to reduce barriers to healthcare and expand services for the medically underserved.

Mentoring for Success focuses on supporting at-risk students and providing services for elementary schools, including: tutoring, mentoring, case management for families, attendance tracking/early warning systems, and positive behavioral intervention support. Across the state, AmeriCorps members ensure that participating K-6 students are provided with the supplemental services needed to be successful.

The Most Vulnerable Populations AmeriCorps Program is based in the Salt Lake County area. This program places AmeriCorps members in a variety of agencies that help the homeless obtain housing, provide assistance to the formerly homeless, and connect them to other mainstream services to increase self-sufficiency. Members support case management services that have been successful in supporting the State’s Ten Year Plan of ending chronic homelessness.

The Playworks AmeriCorps Program engages AmeriCorps members to work in nine low- income, at-risk elementary schools in the Salt Lake City area. These members enable students to improve their social and emotional development by creating a positive and supportive school climate and teaching inclusive behavior and mutual respect. Members also promote emotional and physical safety, which engages and deepens student connection to the learning experience.

The Read.Graduate.Succeed AmeriCorps Program was developed to align with Governor Gary R. Herbert’s “On PACE to 66% by 2020” initiative, focusing on the urgency to implement a strong education program in schools throughout the state. AmeriCorps members are placed in schools identified by the Utah State Office of Education as priority schools or designated as low performing, which was determined through analysis of demographic and achievement data, commitment from the administration, and alignment with the initiative’s core strategies.

2014-2015 Planning Grants The Four Corners School of Outdoor Education will utilize a UServeUtah planning grant to further develop the Canyon County Youth Corps, which will complete fuels reduction, invasive species removal, riparian restoration, train maintenance and construction projects on public lands. Additionally, the program will mentor underprivileged youth, helping them gain valuable skills that will prepare them for future employment.

9 IMPACT

RECRUITE D WHO PERFORMED 20,408 219,082 COMMUNITY HOURS OF SERVICE TO VOLUNTEERS THEIR COMMUNITIES

PROVIDED HOUSING HELPED TRANSITION COUNSELING & RELATED OR MAINTAIN TUTORED

ASSISTANCE FOR

7,672 461 18 1 INDIVIDUALS INDIVIDUALS INTO AT-RISK & FAMILIES PERMANENT HOUSING STUDENTS

SHARED DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PROVIDED GRADUATION AND INFO WITH POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION COACHING TO

9,100 1,180 INDIVIDUALS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

10 HIGHLIGHTS

The 2015 Pacific Region National Service Conference, hosted by UServeUtah, provided learning and networking opportunities for 400 individuals including staff from other State Service Commissions and AmeriCorps and Senior Corps program managers from the region which covers Alaska, American Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Northern Mariana Islands, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

On February 23, 2015, UServeUtah hosted the first annual National Service Day on the Hill. In collaboration with the CNCS Utah office, national service programs from across the state were invited to gather at the Utah State Capitol to educate legislators on the role of national service in communities throughout Utah. Representatives from AmeriCorps, VISTA and Senior Corps were recognized in the House and Senate. A media event with the Lieutenant Governor was held highlighting key points about national service in Utah.

Salt Lake County’s AmeriCorps Ending Chronic Homelessness Program was selected as one of 10 communities nationwide to become part of a new nationwide initiative called Operation AmeriCorps. They received$260,000 in federal funding to engage 20 AmeriCorps members who will work to end chronic homelessness and expand economic opportunity. “We are honored that Utah is one of the first states in the country to receive Operation AmeriCorps funding. This additional resource will allow us to continue our efforts to support those facing chronic homelessness within the state.” said Lt. Governor Spencer Cox.

11 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Locations of Community Engagement Initiatives

LO

12 SUMMER OF SERVICE

Utah’s statewide initiative to celebrate and mobilize youth ages 5-25 to make a meaningful difference in their local communities by volunteering June 1 to August 31.

Armani McFarland started volunteering and planning community service projects 3.5 years ago when she was only 8 years old. Since then she has organized 13 donation drives to help those in need, including her fourth backpack and school supply drive for Catholic Community Services. Armani raised just over $2,600 so far this summer as part of her Backpack Bonanza. “I really love volunteering and helping people,” said Armani. Armani is building useful skills through volunteering that will help her in future endeavors like applying for college.

Jackson is 6 years old and has been volunteering at This is the Place Heritage Park since he was less than 6 months old! As a volunteer Jackson plays the part of a pioneer giving the village an authentic family feel. He started off by simply sleeping in the bread bowl or baby cradle and now he is old enough to help with chores, go to the Deseret school, and run around the village. Jackson volunteers every week with his family who loves to serve and give back to the community!

13 NATIONAL DAYS OF SERVICE

Designated National Days of Service provide individuals, families, organizations, and communities with opportunities to come together to make our nation stronger. UServeUtah awards grants to increase the number of people who serve in meaningful roles as volunteers dedicated to addressing important needs in communities across Utah.

$6,000 1,853 AWARDED VOLUNTEERS

NATIONAL DAYS OF SERVICE

6 43% GRANTEES FIRST TIME VOLUNTEERS

Celebrating and Serving on September 11 provides The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a way to a positive and forward-looking way for Americans transform Dr. King’s life and teachings into community and others to forever honor and remember the service that helps empower and strengthen local victims, survivors, and the many that rose in service communities. This “Day On, Not a Day Off” calls for in response to the 9/11 tragedy, including first Americans from all walks of life to work together responders, recovery workers, volunteers, public to provide solutions to our most pressing national safety officers and members of our military. problems.

14 VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION

The Power of Service Award, given three times per year, honors a volunteer who shows significant commitment to the overall well- being of the populations for which the volunteer serves. Recipients of the award were honored by UServeUtah Commissioners at Commission Board meetings. 2015 recipients included: • Samantha Olsen - Ephiram, UT • Uintah Back Country Horsemen - Uinta Basin • Maggie LaDuca - St. George, UT

November 18, 2015 marked the annual Utah Philanthropy Day Luncheon honoring Utah’s dedicated philanthropists and volunteers who inspire so many individuals and organizations throughout the state with their spirit of giving. Over 850 individuals attended this gala event which is hosted by UServeUtah, the Utah Society of Fund Raisers, and the Utah Nonprofits Association.

The Lt. Governor’s Volunteer Recognition Certificate program is an opportunity for nonprofit, faith- based, corporate and government agencies to recognize the on-going volunteer efforts in their own agencies with a certificate signed by the Lieutenant Governor. 200 certificates were awarded to volunteers across the state in 2015.

15 VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT TRAINING

Volunteers are the heart of many nonprofits and are often vital to an organization’s success, but many volunteer managers are not given the tools necessary. UServeUtah’s training helps organizations manage their volunteers in a way that brings out the best in them. Attendees are trained on the “how to” of effective volunteer management VMT including recruiting, interviewing, training, motivating, and recognizing volunteers. UServeUtah hosts these trainings in partnership with other organizations several times each year throughout the State of Utah. In 2015:

13 TRAININGS 159 ATTENDEES $15K GRANTS PROVIDED TRAINED AWARDED

16 HIGHLIGHTS

UServeUtah joined as an event partner for GIVE Salt Lake, a gathering of nonprofits, for-profits, and donors to come together to accelerate positive change in the world. This two-day event, held October 13- 14 at the University of Utah, engaged over 250 attendees in a nonprofit One way UServeUtah seeks to build and cultivate capacity in the volunteer pitch competition and and service committee is by providing trainings to organizations on how to inspiring conversations, use volunteers. Trainings were provided by UServeStaff at the following: stories, and training from top notch experts • Utah Nonprofits Association Annual Conference in corporate giving, • Mountainwest Arts Conference nonprofit management, • Utah Association of Career and Technical Education and social good. • GIVE Salt Lake City VMT

During the holidays, volunteer and donation centers see an influx of individuals and families looking for ways to give back to their communities. Volunteer and donation centers feel a need for help at all times of the year, not just during the holidays. For that reason, UServeUtah encourages individuals to pledge to volunteer their time during the slower months of the year. Thank you to Steve and Barbara Young for your support.

17 DISASTER SERVICE

Areas trained in Spontaneous Volunteer Management

18 SPONTANEOUS VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

The Spontaneous Volunteer Management (SVM) training provides local municipalities with best practices and materials, in order to prepare local communities to handle the management of spontaneous or unaffiliated volunteers in times of disasters. Topics in the training include: Disaster Basics, Intro to Spontaneous Volunteers, Intro to Risk Management, National Service and Disasters, Affiliated Volunteers, Virtual Management of Volunteers, and Volunteer Coordination Center (VCC) Exercise. In 2015:

3 TRAININGS 90 ATTENDEES 11 MUNICIPALITIES PROVIDED TRAINED TRAINED

19 STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

UServeUtah acts as the state lead for the Volunteer and Donations Coordination Team (VDCT). The VDCT is part of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) and meets monthly at the state Emergency Operations Centers to train and exercise with other Emergency Support Functions that are needed to help run the state in event of a large disaster. UServeUtah’s roles include: • Help coordinate volunteer efforts throughout the state • Make important decisions about how donations will be managed at a state level • Work closely with volunteer agencies, as well as local and state emergency management, to ensure that the volunteer and donations needs of the state are being met

20 HIGHLIGHTS

The Great Utah ShakeOut is a day organized to inspire Utahns to get prepared for disasters. Staff participated in an EOC exercise as part of the volunteer and donations team and a statewide earthquake drill on April 16, 72-Hour kits in tow to the Great Utah Shakeout 2015 . Two UServeUtah staff members attended the 2015 State Commission Disaster Services Convening in Shepherdtown, WV in mid-July. UServeUtah was one of 25 state commissions across the nation invited to participate. The purpose of this meeting was for attendees to create a toolkit of best practices for other state commissions to follow in the event of a large-scale statewide disaster. UServeUtah staff had the opportunity to network with state commissions of various skill levels related to disaster management.

In April Utah State VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters) hosted the second annual Mountain West Regional VOAD Conference. UServeUtah was on the Conference Planning Committee and helped host the conference. The conference was held in Salt Lake City and was attended by VOAD representatives from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. Participants at the conference participated in networking events and workshops aimed at building and strengthening capacity of VOAD coalition members, highlighting accomplishments, and fostering relationships with other disaster-related industries.

21 FINANCIALS

Commission Funding Commission Support Grant (federal) $250,000 Volunteer Generation Fund (federal) $110,150 State Funding $205,000

Sub-granted Funding by Focus Area Education $1,993,693 Environment $523,101 Healthy Futures $298,327 Economic Opportunity $194,993 Disaster Service $132,779

AmeriCorps Program Funding AmeriCorps Program Funding $3,142,833 AmeriCorps Program Match $7,541,047 AmeriCorps Education Awards $2,548,718

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2016 JANUARY JUNE 18 MLK Day of Service AmeriCorps Formula Application Review 21 AmeriCorps Competitive Applications Submitted 27-29 National Conference on Volunteering and Service Detroit

JULY FEBRUARY 21 Commission Board Meeting 10 National Service Day on the Hill 18-19 Volunteer Management Training AUGUST 25 Spontaneous Volunteer Management 10 AmeriCorps Program Director Meeting

SEPTEMBER MARCH 11 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance 5– 12 AmeriCorps Week 15 Commission Board Meeting 10 AmeriCorps Member Gathering 19-23 CNCS Grantee Meeting 23 Commission Board Meeting OCTOBER 11-12 GIVE SLC APRIL 22 Make a Difference Day 5 Mayor & County Day of Recognition for National Service 21-27 National Volunteer Week NOVEMBER 15-17 9 AmeriCorps Program Director Meeting 11 Veterans Day MAY 19 National Family Volunteer Day 7 Join Hands Day 19 Volunteer Pledge Drive Begins 11 AmeriCorps Program Director Meeting 19 Commission Board Meeting DECEMBER Summer of Service Begins VCLA Report 22 COMMISSIONERS & STAFF

SPENCER COX, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COMMISSIONER DUTIES State of Utah • Appointed by the Governor to support volunteerism in Utah KRIS HAMLET | CHAIR • Meets bi-monthly to direct and carry out the mission and Director, Utah Division of Emergency Management objectives of UServeUtah • Fulfills the statutory responsibilities for State DEBBIE HARDY, | VICE CHAIR Commissions under the National and Community Service Manager, Corporate Giving Programs, Intermountain Health Trust Act of 1993. Care • Serves a 3-year term and can be appointed to serve up to two consecutive terms. CHRIS BRAY | PAST CHAIR • Completely voluntary VP of Collective Impact, United Way of Salt Lake • Ambassadors of Service in their local communities For more information on legislatively-required commission DAVID BUHLER composition see title 9-1-801. Commissioner, Utah Higher Education

DAVE CLARK | NATIONAL SERVICE CHAIR Retired, Zion’s Bank

JULIE FISHER Director, Utah Department of Heritage & Arts

ALAN GRIFFIN Specialist- Curriculum Content, Media/Instructional, State Office of Education

JULIE HARTLEY Assistant Commissioner for Outreach & Access, Commission of Higher Education

RON HUMPHRIES USERVEUTAH STAFF Retired, LDS Church LADAWN STODDARD DIANE LEWIS | DISASTER SERVICES CHAIR Director Business Manager, Utah Laborers Local #295 LINDA HARVEY JOEL S. MORIYAMA Administrative Support Specialist Manager- Missionary & Volunteer Resources, LDS Church KARRIE BEARDALL ANN MILLNER, SENATOR Disaster Services Coordinator Utah Senate District 18 KATIE BARLOW JAKE MURAKAMI Strategic Initiatives Coordinator State Program Director, Corporation for National & Community Service ERIN JEMISON National Service Program Manager STAN PENFOLD | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CHAIR Executive Director, Utah AIDS Foundation ANNA DECKER Community Engagement Manager EVELYN SALAZAR Student, Salt Lake Community College

BRAD SMITH State Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Office of Education

23 THE MISSION OF USERVEUTAH IS TO STRENGTHEN UTAH COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE POWER OF SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERISM

UServeUtah 300 South Rio Grande Street Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Phone (801) 755-8824 | Fax (801) 355-3081 www.userve.utah.gov