UServeUtah
Utah's Commission on Service and Volunteerism
2021 Annual Report
Mission
The mission of UServeUtah is to strengthen and unify Utah communities through national service, volunteerism, and broader community engagement.
UServeUtah was created by state statute in 1994 and is comprised of 20 members representing local government, community-based organizations, and statewide networks, and is supported by a small staff. Since its inception, UServeUtah has worked to inspire, equip, and mobilize individuals and organizations to take action to transform their communities.
What We Do
Build & Cultivate Capacity
Promote & Inspire National Service & Community Engagement
Recognize Outstanding Impacts Made Through Service
Core Values
People
We value people and believe that through national service and community engagement, people have the capacity to enrich their own lives and improve the quality of life in their communities. We believe that an active volunteer community creates an environment in which all people thrive.
Collaboration
We value collaboration and realize that we are at our best when we engage in collaborative efforts that bring together individuals, neighborhoods, schools, businesses, government, nonprofit, faith-based and other community organizations to achieve a common vision of stronger communities.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We value diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize that people of all ages, abilities, and origins have talents to share and that communities are strengthened when people connect across their unique backgrounds through national service and community engagement.
Innovation
We value innovation and exploring new ideas and solutions that best meet the needs of Utah communities. We commit to identifying and sharing research and best practices for effective community engagement.
Impact
We value impact and commit to implementing innovative and effective strategies, holding ourselves accountable for results, and sharing our knowledge and best practices with others.
National Service
National Service refers to AmeriCorps programming. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve directly with nonprofit organizations to tackle our nation’s most pressing challenges. AmeriCorps bridges divides by bringing people together: connecting individuals and organizations to strengthen communities across the nation.
There are many ways to engage in National Service in Utah. Individuals can serve as AmeriCorps members within four programs: Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), NCCC FEMA Corps, and AmeriCorps State and National. Additionally, those age 55+ can serve as AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers within three programs: Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP), Foster Grandparent, and Senior Companion. Nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations can engage in National Service by applying to host AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers.
AmeriCorps in Utah
In 2021, AmeriCorps State members in Utah
2021 AmeriCorps Member Gathering
We Are AmeriCorps Utah: Resilient, Empowered, United.
Each year, UServeUtah brings AmeriCorps members together for a day of training, recognition, and networking. In 2021, the member gathering was hosted virtually, giving us the unique opportunity to include members serving all over our state, and their pets!
We celebrated AmeriCorps members and recognized both members and programs for finding unique ways to continue "Getting Things Done" for Utah in the face of challenges exacerbated by the pandemic.
“One of the traits that consistently sets Utahns apart from other states and from other people…is the commitment to service and their incredible resilience. Throughout our state’s history we have seen this thread of resilience and being able to overcome difficulties.”
-Lt. Governor Deidre M. Henderson
AmeriCorps Member Gathering Keynote Speaker
2021 AmeriCorps Member Recognition
AmeriCorps Members of the Month
Caroline Jennings
AmeriCorps Member of the Year:
Deeqa Hamid
2021AmeriCorps State Programs
Community Engagement
In 2021, UServeUtah Built & Cultivated Capacity by
In 2021, the UServeUtah Youth Council
Annie McNeill hosting a Substance Abuse Education assembly for 7th & 8th graders in Beaver
Warren Ellsworth serving with fellow student tutors at Hillcrest High School
Volunteer Recognition
In 2021, UServeUtah recognized
The Power of Service Award
The Power of Service Award is given up to three times per year and is given to a volunteer who shows significant commitment to the overall well-being of the populations they serve. The recipient of the award is honored by UServeUtah Commissioners at a commission board meeting with a framed certificate, a letter signed by the Lieutenant Governor, and the Lieutenant Governor's coin.
The Lieutenant Governor's Volunteer Recognition Certificate
The Lt. Governor's Volunteer Recognition Certificate is an opportunity for non-profit, faith-based, corporate, and government agencies to recognize the ongoing volunteer efforts in their own agencies with a certificate signed by the Lt. Governor. Nominees for this certificate are automatically eligible for the Power of Service Award.
Valerie Yoder, nominated by Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering
John Robertson, nominated by the Uintah County Library
Disaster Services
UServeUtah is the lead agency of the state's Volunteer and Donations Coordination Team (VDCT).
While the VDCT in large part wrapped up operations for the Covid-19 response in 2021 due to a more stable purchasing supply chain, the team did coordinate portable showers for the Ute, Uintah, and Ouray Tribes, assisted in the recruitment of vaccine ambassador volunteers for the Department of Health, and made connections between national AmeriCorps programs and state needs for the ongoing response.
While in-person trainings hosted by UServeUtah weren’t able to be scheduled this year, the VDCT attended a FEMA-sponsored emergency rehearsal of concept simulation in November.