The Oracle Education Foundation announces the opening of ThinkQuest International 2007, inviting students and teachers from around the globe to take part in collaborative learning. Students between the ages of 9 and 19 and their teacher-coaches from anywhere in the world are eligible to apply.

The program promotes collaboration and cross-cultural learning by encouraging students to team with peers in other regions to develop Web sites on educational topics.

Awards include laptops and $1,000 school grants for the top ten teams in each age division, travel to the annual ThinkQuest Live event for the top three teams in each division, and digital cameras for the team that receives the Global Perspectives Award. Application materials available at <a href="http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10004128/thinkquest">http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10004128/thinkquest</a>

Questions? Email: thinkquest_ww@oracle.com. Deadline: April 16, 2007.

In response to the current high interest in immigration issues, CRF has created lessons and made them available free of charge to teachers across the nation. The lessons are carefully balanced to present all sides of controversial issues.

CURRENT ISSUES OF IMMIGRATION, 2006 contains six lessons designed to put the current controversies about illegal immigration into historical and political context. They consist of readings, guided discussion questions, and interactive learning activities. In addition, the materials include resources for conducting structured discussions with students.

CRF grants educators a license for distributing these materials to students, other site personnel, and district administrators.

Please click here to download the lesson packet:
http://www.crf-usa.org/immigration/issues_of_immigration_2006.htm

The Cardinal Bevilacqua Community center is hosting a community clean up day on October 28, 2006. The day will include a vareity of community clean up opportunities including street clean up, graffiti removal and gradening activities. For more info please call jeffrey schlupp at (215) 426-9422 ext. 34202

These skills will be part of some very exciting youth-led community service projects I could tell you about. Essentially, the volunteer would be giving skills to these youth so that they, in turn, can serve their own communities.

Do you know of any local schools who might be able to help? [If that is you, contact Dan…]

Dan Rhoton
Work Readiness Coordinator
Philadelphia Youth Network
714 Market St.
Suite 304
Philadelphia, PA 19106
267.502.3776 (phone)
drhoton@pyninc.org
http://www.pyninc.org

Neighborhood Bike Works still needs a few more hardy folks to help with donation acceptance at the Lower Merion Public Works Complex, trucking bikes back to West Philadelphia, and loading in donations at the shop. For more information or to sign up for a shift, call or write volunteers@neighborhoodbikeworks.org.

IDA Training Opportunity, only $50.00 for CASH Members and $100.00 for General Registration.

CASH Asset Development
and Individual Development Account Training Institute

November 30 and December 1, 2006
2 FULL-DAY Training Institute
Los Angeles, CA

This training is for people interested in designing, improving or expanding Individual Development Account initiatives.

This two-day, highly participatory training will cover a wide range of topics including:

* Designing the account to meet the needs of different target markets and market segments
* Implementing strategies that increase accountholder success during the savings period and after leaving the program
* Finding adequate funding for both program operations and account match; the training will also cover some of the ins and outs of federal IDA funding
* Promoting the IDA program and asset building more broadly to community stakeholders, political leadership, and potential partners
* Structuring collaborations that work and benefit accountholders
* Negotiating with financial institutions in the set up and ongoing management of the accounts
* Linking IDAs with other asset-building strategies that create long-term and sustainable opportunities for IDA program participants
* Delivering engaging financial education; the training will also cover selection of an appropriate curriculum
* Using effective and best practice information to improve the design, implementation, management and potentially expansion of IDAs
* And more.

The training will also include:
? a question and answer session with representatives from financial institutions, and
? an in-depth look at program sustainability and strategies to help achieve program sustainability.

The training will be facilitated by members of the Assets Alliance, all former community-based IDA practitioners with national IDA and asset-building experience. For more information on the Assets Alliance, visit http://www.assetsalliance.org or send an email to contact@assetsalliance.org.

For registration and information contact:

Zenae Scott at 916-443-1721 x 203 or visit http://www.cal-neva.org and follow the link to the CASH IDA Institute.

The training will be held at the Federal Reserve Bank, 950 South Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90015.

3rd Annual Community Capitals Framework Institute
Linking Theory and Practice: A Systems Perspective

Scheman Building, Iowa State University
Ames, IA
November 30 to December 1

The Third Annual Institute on the Community Capitals Framework will again be held in Ames, IA. This Institute will feature presentations of current scholarly work and practice in the field followed by group discussion. We plan to publish the proceedings, so that others can benefit from the work in progress around the Community Capitals Framework. For more information on the Framework and previous
conferences go to: http://www.ncrcrd.iastate.edu/projects/commcap/index.htm

Abstracts due: October 13
Please send a 500 word abstract to memery@iastate.edu

Papers due: November 3

Early registration: September 1 through November 10 (check web site http://www.ncrcrd.iastate.edu/projects/commcap/2006/index.htm
periodically for institute information)

Proceedings available: March 2007

The Web site for the 3rd Annual Community Capitals Framework Institute is online. The direct link is http://www.ncrcrd.iastate.edu/projects/commcap/2006/index.htm. There are several ways to navigate to this page from our homepage:

Housing: $55/rate
Block Name: NCRCRD
Deadline to book a room: October 29, 2006

Country Inn and Suites of Ames
2605 Southeast 16th Street
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 233-3935, fax (515) 233-1515
http://www.countryinns.com/amesia

Meeting Site: Scheman Building — Room 299 (http://www.center.iastate.edu/)

December 5-7 in New Orleans, LA

Join Youth Service America, the U.S. Department of Justice, and colleagues from the service, service-learning, and youth development fields for the 2006 Youth Service Institute to be held December 5-7 in New Orleans. The Youth Service Institute is the ideal environment for individuals and organizations to further develop their programs while learning inventive ways to engage children and youth as assets and resources on National & Global Youth Service Day and throughout the year.

Visit http://www.YSA.org/institute to learn more about this event and to take advantage of the $199 Early Bird Registration special (available until October 31, 2006).

The Bubel/Aiken Foundation and YSA are pleased to announce grants of up to $1,000 to support youth-led service projects in which youth with and without disabilities serve their communities together. These grants support youth (ages 5-25), teachers, youth-leaders, youth-serving organizations, or organizations that serve people with disabilities in implementing service projects for National and Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007. Projects can address themes such as the environment, disaster relief, public health and awareness, community education, hunger, and literacy, or other youth-identified community needs. To learn more, download grant application and guidelines at <a href="http://www.YSA.org/awards">http://www.YSA.org/awards</a>.

Questions? Email abletoserve@ysa.org. Receipt Deadline: November 30, 2006

David Holtzman

NEW ISSUE OF SHELTERFORCE MAGAZINE!

The Spring 2006 issue of Shelterforce Magazine features articles on how activists and community developers are organizing and rebuilding the Gulf Coast after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. We look at how activists have organized evacuees to demand that government provide housing and other critical assistance. We also feature articles on recovery efforts led by community groups with the support of national intermediaries, and activist pressure for citizen-led neighborhood planning. The power of community developers to be a
force for change has rarely been more evident. You will find a summary and links to each of the feature articles below. Contact David Holtzman at dholtzman@nhi.org with questions. To view the full issue or subscribe, go to http://www.nhi.org.

Katrina: A Political Disaster

A history of discrimination and greed compounded by an ideology bent on dismantling government made the inept federal response inevitable. It’s time to bring back good government big enough to meet the people’s needs.
http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/145/politicaldisaster.html

Picking Up The Pieces
Displaced and overwhelmed, three major organizing networks – ACORN, IAF and PICO – provided immediate aid to evacuees and began working for long-term equitable recovery. Will they be able to rise to the human and political challenges they now face?
http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/145/pickinguppieces.html

A National Spotlight on Local Capacity
In the wake of Katrina’s devastation, intermediaries are creating new collaborations. But the Gulf Coast’s limited community development capacity may minimize their results.
http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/145/nationalspotlight.html

The Shifting Landscape of New Orleans
Big-time planners are working hard to recreate the Big Easy. But if it’s going to be a better city than it was, these planners must involve poor residents as equal partners and give them a place in the new New Orleans.
http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/145/shiftinglandscape.html

Monkey See, Monkey Do
Katrina coverage spotlights the inability or unwillingness of the media to cover poverty. If the media doesn’t report on it, can we expect the public to understand it?
http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/145/monkeyseemonkeydo.html

Also in this issue:

Designing a Socially Just Downtown
A grassroots coalition in Oakland used its organizing and design skills to produce a housing proposal the city couldn’t refuse, despite the mayor’s stiff opposition.
http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/145/designingdowntown.html

Frank Wilkinson’s Legacy
Remembering an advocate whose belief in decent affordable housing led to a life devoted to the preservation of our civil liberties.
http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/145/wilkinson.html

Important reading in the new issue of Shelterforce, the Journal of Affordable Housing and Community Building.

Please note this award is not offered by YSA, so please use the contact information given below if you have any questions about this award.

The Lewis Hine Awards, named after the renowned photographer Lewis Wickes Hine who documented early twentieth century exploitation of child labor, seek to identify not the one-time hero, but the individual who has made a commitment to the well-being, growth and development of youth either in a paid job or through volunteering. Five professionals and five volunteers will be recognized for their exceptional service to young people with an award of $1,000. Awardees will attend a media-covered ceremony on January 29, 2007 in New York City.

Nomination forms available at <a href="http://www.nationalchildlabor.org/">http://www.nationalchildlabor.org/</a>

Questions? Call: 212-840-1801. Deadline: October 25, 2006.

What: Good Venture offers your students the chance to make a difference. Students choose a nonprofit they believe in — and enter a proposal to win funding for it from JPMorgan.

How: Teams of students will be asked to make the case for a non-profit of their choice. Finalists will pitch to an investment board of JPMorgan executives and the winning team will actually have their proposal funded.

Where: Finals will be held in New York City.

When: January 18th ? 19th 2007

Registration ends November 27th, 2006

More details about the competition can be found at <a href="http://goodventure.org">http://goodventure.org</a> or contact JPMorganUndergrad@goodventure.org

Grassroots.org Director of Communications

Responsibilities:
? Work with IT partners, consultants and volunteers to ensure all web 2.0 Toolbox applications are interoperable while meeting the needs of Grassroots and our clients,
? Implement and coordinate new programs including negotiating partnerships with technology companies, nonprofit organizations, and universities,
? Manage volunteer coordination and recruitment for all volunteer programs,
? Process new member applications,
? Provide client support, and
? Any additional tasks as may be assigned by the Executive Director.

Position Requirements:
? Prefer applicant live in Washington DC metro area or Ohio,
? Be self motivating,
? Have excellent writing, communication, networking and negotiating skills,
? Have nonprofit experience, and
? Have IT application experience including html and php

Salary range:
Dependent upon the local cost of living and the skills of the individual. Range is $35,000 ? 60,000

About Grassroots.org:
The mission of Grassroots.org is to promote social change by providing free services to nonprofit organizations in order to help them achieve their goals effectively and efficiently while spreading valuable social information. The Grassroots.org goal is to sign up 10,000 nonprofits and provide them each with an average of $10,000 of services per year at no charge; and to continually develop 50 high profile nonprofit Internet portals.

People’s Emergency Center Community Development Corporation (PECCDC) was created in 1992 to revitalize the West Philadelphia community. PECCDC provides an array of neighborhood preservation, community building, technology and commercial development projects to transform West Philadelphia into a ?Community of Choice,? a community where people choose to live and work. PECCDC acquires, rehabilitates and manages properties for rental or sale; converts vacant lots and buildings into housing units, social service facilities, playgrounds or green spaces; and provides affordable housing for low-income and formerly homeless single-parent families. As one of PECCDC?s community building programs, PECCDC also works to bridge the digital divide. Our Digital Inclusion program provides computer and internet access to low income neighbors and provides after school training for high school students where they learn to refurbish old computers for community members and to build web pages for local businesses.

Member Duties: PECCDC?s member must have a strong interest in computer technology and working with low-income communities. He/she will work with technology programs to promote digital access, build capacity, and help to implement and coordinate a pilot after school program, Sixth Grade Stars. The member will help to develop outcomes for students which will measure academic progress, increase in technological skills and improvement in social attitudes. The member will also assist in evaluating outcomes for PECCDC as a whole within a comprehensive database which PECCDC recently developed to collect, track, analyze and report on property and project specific information and neighborhood impact.

Specific tasks include:
? develop of a tracking system for property management
? create of marketing and promotional materials and activities for technology programs
? create a community residents database to improve communication and engage community members in technology programs
? increase capacity and revenue of youth technology programs
? create turn key system for on-line book sellers program
? assist in the implementation and monitoring of the Sixth Grade Stars
? develop of a system for tracking long-term outcomes of Sixth Grade Stars
? analyze pre and post test outcomes for both the elementary and teen technology programs
? assist in refining, populating and expanding the capacity of the PECCDC databases

Work schedule: full time
Service Area: Children/Youth, Community Development, Digital Inclusion
Length of Tour: 12 months
Age Requirement: 21

Skill Requirements:
Background in technology, an interest in working with the low-income community, working knowledge of database programs, a Bachelor?s Degree (Degree in Education Preferred), organizational skills, and ability to network with community members, clients, and program partners.

Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend, Health Coverage, Living Allowance, On-the-job Training.

To apply, contact: People’s Emergency Center, 325 N. 39th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 382-7522

People’s Emergency Center (PEC) is a community of concerned citizens with a shared belief in the equality, dignity and worth of every person. We recognize homelessness and poverty as systemic issues that require community responses. Partnering with community members, funders, government at the local and national levels, and the business community, we ensure that all families have access to the services, housing, income, education and technology they need to achieve and maintain independence. Since 1972, PEC has helped thousands of abused, abandoned and homeless women and children to rebuild lives of dignity through programs that help move toward self-sufficiency. PEC?s shelter, social service, and transitional housing facilities are located in West Philadelphia.

Member Duties: The tasks of the PEC AmeriCorps*VISTA would further enhance the agency?s attempts to move homeless families out of poverty and onto self-sufficiency. In light of the fact that homeless children are four times more likely than others to score below the tenth percentile in vocabulary and reading in school, the AmeriCorps*VISTA member will help to
? develop and implement a program to track the academic performance of children living at PEC through collection and evaluation of school report cards
? assist in coordination of administering and evaluating pre- and post- tests for mothers participating in PEC?s parenting program,
? attend provider meetings, and
? assist staff in developing, planning and executing three fundraising events, creating a turnkey system that can be replicated by staff in years to come

Work Schedule: full time, Monday through Friday
Service Area: Children/Youth, Education, Homelessness
Length of Tour: 12 months
Age Requirement: 21

Skill Requirements: An interest in working with the low-income community, working knowledge of database programs, comfort in client interaction, a Bachelor?s Degree (Degree in Education preferred), sensitivity to illiteracy issues, creativity, organizational skills, and an ability to socialize and network with others in the social service field.

Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend, Health Coverage, Living Allowance, On-the-job Training

To apply, contact: People’s Emergency Center, 325 N. 39th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 382-7522

Please share this announcement with your colleagues, students, and anyone who might be qualified and interested. This is a short term position in conjunction with a current digitization project at HSP funded by the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program. Thanks! — Kate Wilson

Historian/Documentary Editor

From Slavery to Freedom Digital Project

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania seeks a Project Historian and Documentary Editor to transcribe and edit a set of documents related to African American history in the Philadelphia area during the antebellum period. Documents will be mounted on the HSP website in facsimile and edited transcription form, as part of a project to digitize materials for classroom and research use.

Documents to be edited include:

? Journal C of Vigilance Committee, William Still, Pennsylvania Abolition Society Papers
? Account book of the Vigilance Committee, Pennsylvania Abolition Society Papers
? Constitution and minutes of the Junior Anti-Slavery Society of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Abolition Society Papers
? Actions involving fugitive slaves, 1786-1834, Pennsylvania Abolition Society Papers
? Actions involving illegal enslavement of free blacks, 1787-1830, Pennsylvania Abolition Society Papers
? Vigiliant Committee of Philadelphia records, 1839-44
? Letters and speeches of Jacob C. White (secretary of the Vigilant Committee of Philadelphia), American Negro Historical Society papers
? Public remarks by David Paul Brown (of Mother Bethel AME Church) and Robert Purvis, 1810-1841, Mother Bethel AME Church
? Select correspondence, Johnson family papers, Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust
? Newspaper excerpts, Germantown Telegraph, Public Ledger, and The Christian Recorder

Responsibilities of the position include:

? Transcribing documents according to HSP project protocols
? Annotating documents with historical, biographical, and other background and contextual information
? Identifying additional primary source material for inclusion in site as relevant
? Drafting and revising related introductory text for documents

Qualifications:

? Advanced degree (MA or PhD preferred) in history or related discipline with expertise in African American and American history. Familiarity with antebellum period and Philadelphia history essential.
? Experience working with historical primary sources essential; documentary editing experience preferred
? Experience writing in public history or other applied contexts
? Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Terms:

This position is temporary part-time, for a 24-week period (at an average 20 hours/week) between November 2006 ? May 2007. To apply, send letter, resume/CV and references to Kate Wilson, Director of Education and Interpretation, The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107. Electronic submissions at kwilson@hsp.org. Position open until filled.

Students are invited to submit original short documentaries about some aspect of child abuse or neglect. Films will be judged by a panel of film and child welfare experts, including an award-winning documentary filmmaker, a CNN producer, and several leaders in the child welfare field. Prizes will be awarded to the winning high school entry in the amount of a $500 cash scholarship and films will be screened at a Film Festival during the conference. A matching $500 donation will be made to the school film or art department which sponsors the winning film. Students do not have to be sponsored by a school to enter. Prizes may be awarded in multiple categories, depending upon the number and quality of submissions. Schools and students may submit multiple films. Details about the contest can be found on the website: <a href="http://www.sp2.upenn.edu/onechild/index.html">http://www.sp2.upenn.edu/onechild/index.html</a>.

Questions can be directed to me at the contact information below. Thank you in advance for your support.

Debby Wolfe

Debra Schilling Wolfe
Executive Director
The Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research
University of Pennsylvania
3815 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215.573.5442
<a href="http://www.fieldcenteratpenn.org">http://www.fieldcenteratpenn.org</a>

HELPING young people be the very best they can be is the cornerstone of Nestl??s educational programs. The Nestl? Very Best in Youth program puts the spotlight on young people age 10?18 who have not only excelled academically, but who are making their communities and the world better places. Encourage your students to reach their dreams, make a difference, and enter to become America?s Very Best in Youth!

Winners receive:

? Profile in the Nestl? Very Best in Youth book published in the summer of 2007

? $1,000 donation in their name to the charity of their choice

? Round trip airfare and hotel accommodations for five days and four nights for the winner and a parent, plus spending allowance for gala attire, to attend the Nestl? Very Best in Youth awards ceremony in Los Angeles

Application: <a href="http://www.nestle-VeryBestinYouth.com">http://www.nestle-VeryBestinYouth.com</a> or for more information.

Once again, under the leadership of Secretary Elaine L. Chao, the U.S. Department of Labor will host a national Opportunity Conference in Philadelphia. Celebrating the contributions of the Nation?s Asian Pacific, Hispanic, and African American communities, the Opportunity Conference will emphasize key components of economic development and working with the federal, state, and local government.

Workshop topics include:
ACCESS TO CAPITAL
ACCESSING GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
HOW TO BE CERTIFIED AS AN 8A BUSINESS
PARTNERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY IN THE WORKFORCE
MARKETING STRATEGIES
MINORITY HOMEOWNERSHIP
EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE WORKFORCE SYSTEM
BEST PRACTICES IN YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
HOW TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS OR NON-PROFIT SERVICES AND
OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS and more!

For more information, on this FREE conference, log on to http://www.OpportunityConference.gov.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
Hon. Elaine L. Chao U.S. Secretary of Labor
Hon. Lurita Doan Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration
Billy King President, Philadelphia 76ers
Brent Wilkes Executive Director, League of United Latin American Citizens
Donald E. Bowen Senior Vice President, Programs National Urban League
Cynthia Gouw Anchor, Asian Outlook, WYBE-TV Philadelphia
Sharon R. Pinder Secretary, Office of Minority Affairs, Governor of Maryland

National sponsors:
U.S. Department of Labor
Pan-Asian American Leadership Caucus
LULAC
National Urban League

…bringing together local environmental leaders, activists and community members to share ideas, promote collaboration, and raise awareness of regional issues.

Thursday, October 12th
6:00pm-9:00pm
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 N. 20th St., 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Environmental Leadership Program’s (ELP’s) Delaware Valley Regional Network Friendraiser is a few days away! You will receive a discount if you pre-register online, so don’t forget to RSVP by the end of business hours on Wednesday, October 11.

ELP is celebrating the third year of its Delaware Valley Regional Network, a dynamic community of emerging environmental leaders working for positive change throughout the region.

We invite you to come to the Friendraiser and…

* Meet members from all three classes of Delaware Valley Regional Network Associates
* Meet other members of the Delaware Valley environmental community
* Learn about ELP and the year-long training series we provide free-of-cost to emerging leaders in the environmental field
* Enjoy good food, drinks, company and more!

To encourage the growth of the ELP Community, we are offering discounts to those who are bringing in new guests. For more information, see our registration page!

The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is a national nonprofit organization that nurtures a new generation of environmental leadership characterized by diversity, innovation, collaboration, and effective communications. ELP inspires visionary, action oriented and diverse leadership to work for a just and sustainable future. Learn more about our Delaware Valley Regional ELP Network!

http://www.elpnet.org/delawarevalleynetwork/DVfriendraiser.php