Bastrop Volunteer Reception Center to Aid Volunteers, Organizations, and Homeowners in Wildfire Relief
For immediate release
American YouthWorks sends AmeriCorps members to Bastrop County to Aid in Wildfire Relief Efforts
September 28, 2011 — BASTROP, Texas – The Bastrop Calvary Baptist Church is serving as a Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) for those interested in providing assistance to the Bastrop County fire relief effort.
Local AmeriCorps members participating in American YouthWorks’ (AYW) Environmental Corps (E-Corps) and Casa Verde Builders (CVB), along with AmeriCorps members from Washington State, were called upon to establish the center that gives volunteers the opportunity to learn about, and sign up for volunteer opportunities throughout Bastrop County. Partnering with groups and organizations working to provide disaster assistance, the center provides the public a central location for getting involved. Upon registration, volunteers will be matched with opportunities based on interest and availability.
Individuals and groups interested in volunteering should call the VRC at (512) 332-2607 or visit 3001 Loop 150 E. Monday – Saturday between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Those interested can also register online at http://www.bastroprelief.org/volunteer.
In addition, homeowners in need of recovery assistance can stop in the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), located at 1602 Hill Street, Bastrop between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, to fill out a homeowner intake form and be provided with volunteer support through affiliated agencies.
Chelsea Bodamer, Outreach Coordinator for AYW’s E-Corps program said, “We are excited to be a part of the relief effort here in Bastrop. We are moved by the strength of the community and organizations of all different backgrounds coming together for a common goal.”
In order for Bastrop County to continue to provide the most comprehensive volunteer support services, Bastrop County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Fischer requests that all volunteer agencies register with the VRC. Volunteer hours, collectively, will help to offset the cost of recovery to the County and its residents. Agencies should call, visit, or send an e-mail to the VRC at bastropvrc@gmail.com.
For additional information please visit www.co.bastrop.tx.us/bcdisaster/ or www.bastroprelief.org or dial 211.
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About American Youth Works
AYW is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Austin, Texas that integrates at-risk youth and AmeriCorps members to provide education, service and green jobs training. AYW operates a public charter high school, the Service Learning Academy, a GED program and green jobs and service corps programs, Casa Verde Builders, Computer Corps, Environmental Corps, and Green Energy Corps. AYW also offers on-site life services to help students overcome obstacles to their education, including a parent and child development center, academic coaching and counseling. For more than thirty years, AYW has assisted thousands of local, at-risk youth and adult graduates from around the country in transforming their lives and gaining job skills through community service, education and a commitment to preserving the natural environment.
About Environmental Corps
E-Corps is a green jobs training and service program that allows at-risk youth and adult graduates to build and restore the natural environment through parks and trails projects, forestry, and habitat restoration. It is a program of AmeriCorps that integrates young adults from all over the United States with local youth to create a blended, transformative, cultural experience for all participants. In the spring of 2011, Enviromental Corps members participated in disaster relief efforts in Joplin, Missouri and in 2005 and 2006 they provided Hurricane relief in both New Orleans and East Texas.
About Case Verde Builders
Casa Verde Builders, also a program of American YouthWorks, is a green jobs training service program teaching youth ages 17-24 cutting-edge, green construction techniques. Participants build energy-efficient, affordable homes in East Austin for first time homebuyers and learn the construction process from foundation to finish. This award-winning program is proven to produce higher academic performance and consistent attendance for its participants and creates a foundation for youth to pursue quality higher education and jobs placement. In partnership with the US Department of Labor and YouthBuild USA, CVB is a nationally-recognized leader in combining green building with affordable housing.
About Washington Conservation Corps
The Washington Conservation Corps is an AmeriCorps program based in Washington State. Washington Conservation Corps crews perform environmental work for a variety of partners throughout the state. Partners include the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Washington State Parks, county parks, nonprofits, and private landowners. Washington Conservation Corps has proven to be a vital resource for emergency response. WCC Crews have been deployed to fires, floods, hurricanes, tornados and oil spills throughout the country.