The Saturday before Thanksgiving has been designated "Family Volunteer Day"by Points of Light Institute and The Walt Disney Company. Just a few days before families gather around the table to celebrate Thanksgiving, they are invited to choose a volunteer service project that will engage all members of the familyon Family Volunteer Day. Across the nation families of all sizes and compilations are teaming up to make a difference in someone's life, improve a community, provide shelter for the homeless, food for the hungry. The benefits of volunteering as a family are abundant. Brothers and sistersspending quality time with each other while making a positive impact in their society. The needs of the community are met while strengthening family bonds.

Learn how your family can participate

David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for
National and Community Service to Step Down

This month will mark the end of David Eisner’s term as CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. He steps down after five years of leading the agency that administers AmeriCorps, VISTA, NCCC, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America. Eisner focused his efforts on strengthening the organization's accountability, improving customer service, and increasing public trust.

USA Freedom Corps wishes David Eisner all the best in his future endeavors and remains grateful for the positive contributions he made to National Service.

From Dropouts to Downturns: Why Service is America’s Solution - Remarks of David Eisner
Departing National Service CEO Sees Unprecedented Need and Opportunity for Service
Nicola Goren to Run National Service Agency through Transition

Student Service on the Rise,
but Less Connected to Learning

On November 12, 2008, The Corporation for National and Community Service released a new report showing that community service in America’s schools has reached a new peak, with 68 percent of all K-12 schools offering or recognizing service opportunities for their students.

The report, Community Service and Service-Learning in America’s Schools 2008, found that the prevalence of community service has risen in K-12 schools, up from 64 percent from a similar study conducted in 1999. High schools are especially supportive of community service, with a whopping 86 percent of high schools recognizing student service, up from 83 percent in 1999.

Learn more
Read the report (PDF)
National Service Agency Announces Grants To Improve the Lives of Young People Nationwide

The President's Call to Service

To empower Americans to help others in the wake of September 11, 2001, President Bush launched the USA Freedom Corps. The goal of the USA Freedom Corps was to connect Americans with opportunities to serve our country, to foster a culture of citizenship, responsibility and service. Over the last six years, USA Freedom Corps has met these goals.

Click here for video on the President's call to service (Windows Media)
USA Freedom Corps Report: Answering the Call to Service (PDF)
USA Freedom Corps Report Appendix (PDF)

Find a Volunteer Opportunity

Hurricane Response and Recovery:
Donate and Volunteer
En Español

On September 1st, Hurricane Gustav made landfall in the United States along the Louisiana coast as a strong Category 2 hurricane; Hurricane Ike struck the Texas coast on September 13th. Today, national service participants and volunteers in the Gulf Coast region and across the country are responding in the aftermath of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The USA Freedom Corps office at the White House and the Corporation for National and Community Service are working in close coordination with numerous federal agencies and state and local leaders to respond to the needs of those affected by the hurricanes.

All residents in the region affected by Hurricane Ike are encouraged to follow the instructions given by local emergency management officials. We are currently urging those who want to help people affected by Hurricane Ike to make cash donations to nonprofit organizations that are active in disaster work.

Find a Volunteer Opportunity | How to Donate