"VOLUNTEERISM and CITIZEN SERVICE must lead Louisiana's recovery effort." -Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu The Louisiana Serve Commission is pleased to announce Volunteer Louisiana, a website and call center that matches volunteers with service opportunities throughout the state. Visit www.volunteerlouisiana.gov or call 866-286-3835 or 225-342-3070 to find out how you can begin a summer of service.

Impact - Visitors Generate State Revenue In terms of tax revenues, visitor spending accounted for $677 million of 2004 Louisiana revenues, or 8.3% of the total 2004 State Budget. Source: The Impact of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism on Louisiana's Economy and Quality of Life for Louisiana's Citizens - ... Learn More >>

October 22, 2007

CONTACT:
Maria Mercedes Tio
2253428153
mtio@crt.state.la.us

Volunteers in four cities will build wheelchair ramps for citizens with disabilities to celebrate Make A Difference Day in the first Ramp Up Louisiana, a coordinated service project of the Louisiana Serve Commission, its AmeriCorps*State programs, and the disability community for Make A Difference Day, October 27, 2007.

"As part of Louisiana's Year of Service, Make a Difference Day is an opportunity to share our vision of a state in which all citizens, regardless of their abilities, participate fully in their communities," said Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, whose office oversee the Louisiana Serve Commission. "The Ramp Up Louisiana project engages persons with disabilities as active volunteers to help build wheelchair ramps for those in need throughout the state," Landrieu said.

The AmeriCorps*State programs involved in the project are: Trinity Christian Community, New Orleans; Louisiana Delta Service Corps, Baton Rouge; University of Louisiana Lafayette, Lafayette; and ShrevCORPS, Shreveport-Bossier.

To build the ramps, service programs were asked to partner with other nonprofit organizations in their communities. The Louisiana Serve Commission provided Ramp Up Louisiana project funds of up to $5,000 per project.

Angele Davis, Secretary of the Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism detailed the scope of Louisiana Serve's outreach. "The Ramp Up Louisiana grants are a new addition to the Louisiana Serve Commission's grant-making process and focus especially on the disability community," Davis said. "The Louisiana Serve Commission has been an active partner with nonprofits throughout the state. In 2007, they have awarded $7.8 million in AmeriCorps*State grants to 22 community-based organizations in 33 parishes and more than $200,000 in Learn & Serve America grants to 22 schools in 17 parishes. They have a considerable record of service."

In New Orleans, Louisiana Serve participating partners include Trinity Christian Community/Rebuilding Together; International Council of Shopping Centers and LSU Health Science Center School of Occupational Medicine. In Baton Rouge, partners include Louisiana Delta Service Corps, Hands On Baton Rouge and Mid-City Redevelopment Alliance. In Lafayette, the University of Louisiana Lafayette and Rebuilding Together of Acadiana are active partners. In the Shreveport-Bossier area, partners include ShrevCORPS, North Highland United Methodist Church, Huntington High School, Caddo Parish School Board, Caddo Council on Aging, Bossier Council on Aging, Home Depot and Families Helping Families.

Brooke Smith, Executive Director of the Louisiana Serve Commission, said RampUp Louisiana will accomplish a number of the organizations's goal for 2007 Make A Difference Day. "We want to increase the capacity of local organizations to build wheelchair ramps for community members with disabilities who have no other means to pay for a ramp, and we want to involve citizens with disabilities in a day of service alongside AmeriCorps members, corporate partners and other citizens so that all are included in doing good for the community," Smith said.

About Make a Difference Day
Make A Difference Day is the most encompassing national day of helping others -- a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Everyone can participate. Created by USA WEEKEND Magazine, Make A Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October - this year Saturday, October 27, 2007.

About the Louisiana Serve Commission
The Louisiana Serve Commission was established in the Office of the Lt. Governor in 1993 to rekindle the spirit of service among the citizens of Louisiana. The Louisiana Serve Commission's mission is to build and sustain high-quality programs that meet the needs of Louisiana's citizens and to promote an ethic of volunteer service. The Commission administers the AmeriCorps*State and Learn & Serve America grants and manages the online statewide volunteer portal www.volunteerlouisiana.gov. Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu declared 2007 as the Year of Service, Volunteerism and Social Entrepreneurship in the State of Louisiana.