Join the German American Heritage Center for a day trip to the German Fest in Milwaukee on July 24

DEADLINE  TO SIGN UP IS JULY 13!

Date: July 24, 2010 (Day trip)

Time: 7:55 a.m. - 8:50 p.m.
(Bus departs/returns at the German American Heritage Center)

Cost:

Nonmembers: Adults: $68; Seniors and Students: $65

Members: Adults: $58; Seniors and Students: $55

Direct from Germany, the German Showcase features an amazing group of entertainers who will be performing every day throughout the grounds! Relax with a beer and sausage in the Beer Garden on the ground's North end - sing along or listen to favorite German drinking songs! Visit the South end of the grounds for carnival games, rides and other activities! Don't leave the festival grounds without trying a "Currywurst," a bratwurst with a decadent curry sauce, or a "Saucisschen," an 18" pork sausage curled and served on a stick! Also, for the first time Saz's will be offering a traditional Friday Night Fish Fry on the grounds.

TO SIGN UP:
To reserve your spot for the trip, call 563-322-8844. We encourage you to register soon, as space is limited.

WINGS FUNDRAISER

JULY 2, 2010

9pm until 1am

Admission $5

Independence WEEKEND 2010

19 yr old and UNDER

Dance Contest - Cash Prizes Awarded

Moline Club - 513 16th St, Moline, IL.

The Wings program is an excellent program for youth leadership. The youth, 16 to 17 year old, are selected by their pastors and school counsellors, then personally trained by a series of  mentors/teachers outside of their school.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center plans a $3.6 million expansion and renovation to the center this year. $3.3 million has been raised and $300,000 is still needed. Find out the details of the project at our news conference on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 10 am at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, community room, 630 Martin Luther King Drive, Rock Island.

The King Center is been a resource for youth and families in the Quad Cities to nurture dreams, build community, and change lives. In 35 years, the King Center programs have evolved to meet the needs of the community but the building has not changed.

This project will allow the enhancement of afterschool activities, job training, mentoring, community services, and others. The design will allow for 200 youth to be served daily onsite along with over 250 adults. The facility will be flexible to meet a variety of needs and offer a revitalized resource to the community.

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS introduces their 2010 WQPT/PBS Ambassadors, an elite volunteer corps made up of college students.

The WQPT/PBS Ambassador program is in its sixth year and provides an opportunity for college students to represent their local public television station at a variety of events throughout eastern Iowa and western Illinois.  "Ambassadors are a highly trained extension of our volunteer team," said WQPT Special Projects Coordinator, Bea Brasel.   This year the WQPT/PBS Ambassadors are:

  • Michele Moreno from Black Hawk College
  • Brandie DeClerck from Black Hawk College
  • Shanen Norlin from the University of Iowa
  • Irene Cruz from Black Hawk College
  • C.J. Bates from Black Hawk College
  • Joan Frank from Western Illinois University
  • Kelly Libberton from Western Illinois University
  • Daniel Brasel from Illinois College
  • Koko Nicoue - Black Hawk College

"Our Ambassadors traditionally return throughout their college years because the experience has been fulfilling and often come back as volunteers because they believe in the mission of public television," said Ms. Brasel.

WQPT is the public media service of Western Illinois University - Quad Cities.

 

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As part of Pepsi's "Refresh the World" campaign, a $10,000 check will be presented to Churches United of the Quad City Area. This PRESS CONFERENCE/ presentation will be held on Friday, June 11th at 10 am in the A. D. Huesing Corporate Offices, 527 - 37th Avenue, Rock Island IL.

Pepsi's "Refresh the World" campaign allowed distributers throughout the country to nominate a local organization to support, in their efforts of making a positive change in their own communities.  When A.D. Huesing saw Food & Shelter was one of the categories, they immediately thought of Churches United of the Quad City Area (Churches United).  Over 150,000 meals were provided last year alone through Churches United's 26 food pantries and 3 hot meal sites.  A.D Huesing also saw the big difference Winnie's Place woman's shelter made in the area providing help for women with, or without, children who are homeless or domestic violence victims.  Because of Churches United's commitment, A.D. Huesing submitted the paperwork and the Pepsi Corporation agreed to match their $5,000 donation.

The $10,000 check will be presented to Churches United at the press conference on Friday.    A.D. Huesing's Chief Executive Officer, Denise Ormsby, said "Churches United is so broad based and does so much in the community, we thought it would be a good fit."

According to Office Manager Jo Cohrs "This couldn't come at a better time, the needs for our emergency funds, food and services have doubled in the last year.  We can't thank A.D. Huesing and Pepsi enough for this wonderful gift".

The check presentation will begin at 10 am with Bud Helpenstell, Chairman of the Board of A.D. Huesing and Mike Evers, COO of   A. D. Huesing. Representing Churches United will be Executive Director Ronald Quay as well as Rev. Brian Fischer, President of Churches United's Board of Directors.  Mrs. Cohrs is inviting the community to check out their new You Tube video on their website (www.cuqca.org) to see the tremendous need and extensive services that are provided by this nearly 50 year old organization known now as Churches United.

(Rock Island, Ill.)  The Arc of Rock Island County held its Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Event on April 27, 2010.  The annual gathering recognized the volunteers for their support for The Arc.  In the past year volunteers provided more than 6,000 hours of service.  Associate Executive Director of Administrative Services/Chief Financial Officer Stacey Carey distributed awards for cumulative hours, including special recognition for Gay Nefzger (Rock Island , IL) who logged more than 1,100 hours of volunteer service.

Additionally, The Arc presented its Elected Official of the Year Award, Community Advocate of the Year Award, the inaugural Business Partner of the Year Award, and the Evelyn Colberg Award.  The recipients for 2010 were as follows:

  • Elected Official of the Year Award Presented to Illinois State Representative Pat Verschoore (Rock Island, IL).  Representative Verschoore has during his lengthy legislative service worked vigorously to protect funding and build awareness of the need for supports for individuals with developmental disabilities in our community.  Due to the ongoing session, Char Verschoore accepted this recognition on his behalf.
  • Community Advocate of the Year Presented to Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences (Rock Island, IL).  Last fall The Arc and Trinity initiated a partnership with win-win results.  As part of their curriculum, students in the Trinity nursing program are required to do 12 hours of field service at The Arc's Opportunity Center in Moline.  This partnership has an amazing impact on the individuals at the Opportunity Center as well as the students.  Students get hands on experience, offering sometimes their first personal or professional interaction with individuals with developmental disabilities.  Through their experiences in this partnership, Trinity's students learn the importance of responding with sensitivity, understanding, and patience, when treating individuals with developmental disabilities.
  • Business Partner of the Year Presented to Nestle Purina Pet Care (Davenport, IA).  This year The Arc initiated this new award, developed as a way of thanking business partnerships established through Work Services for companies which invest in The Arc's committed and dedicated workforce.  This year's recipient has provided meaningful work opportunities for most workers at Arc Industries.  The company, however, does not treat Arc workers as distant subcontractors.  Rather, when they visit Arc Industries, Purina staff goes out of the way to make our workers feel a valuable part of their "team."  Chad Rostenbach of the Davenport Facility of Nestle Purina Pet Care graciously accepted this recognition from Arc Industries.
  • Evelyn Colberg Award Presented to Kathy Conrad (Silvis, IL)  [Photo submitted] The Arc gives this award honoring a volunteer, an organization, or a business that has served people with developmental disabilities with a sustaining commitment, dedication, and humility.  The Evelyn Colberg Award was first presented in 1987, named for one of a group of Arc Charter Members who began the organization now known as The Arc of Rock Island County.  This year Kathy has provided countless hours of dedicated service to The Arc and the individuals we serve, supporting the Human Resources Department, the Training Department, the library in the Training Center, and the Development & Communications Department.

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DAVENPORT, IA (06/02/2010)(readMedia)-- Local youth leader Chantell Lamont, Davenport, received an award recently for making a difference in the Quad Cities. The QC (Quality and Commitment) Award, given by the Council on Community Services of the Quad Cities (CCSQC), recognized Lamont's work with foster youth through Children & Families of Iowa's Elevate program.

The CCSQC is a coalition of nonprofit organizations operating throughout the Quad Cities Area. Elevate is a support group for foster youth, ages 13 and up, that meets regularly to improve the lives of youth in state care.

CCSQC selection committee chair Kathryn Griffith, R.N, M.S., explains why Lamont's nomination drew the committee's attention and ultimately won her the award, "The nomination was very well done. It was obvious that she [Lamont] goes above and beyond. She is committed to making better citizens out of these youth who've had some really tough brakes and that's great for our community."

Lamont was nominated in the Outstanding Individual category by Amy Hartog and Libbet Brooke, health educators at the Edgerton Women's Health Center, located in Davenport. Hartog, a frequent guest speaker at Elevate meetings, educates youth on a variety of health-related topics. "We nominated Chantell for providing quality and commitment to the children in the Elevate program in the Quad Cities area, and she won. We are ecstatic! She is very deserving. We saw firsthand how well she interacts and communicates with these kids. She is a great mentor and role model and helps them make better choices for their futures. Chantell is someone who has been through the system [state foster care], has thrived and has been successful at making a great life for herself," says Hartog.

The majority of youth who reach adulthood while in foster care do not get the chance to develop critical life skills - skills that enable others their age to succeed. Without consistent role models to demonstrate financial management, job preparedness or the basics of personal health, these teens have had to focus on surviving, rather than thriving. According to the Iowa Department of Human Services, a little more than half of those who "age out" will graduate from high school within four years of release from care. By this same four-year mark, fewer than 20 percent will be able to support themselves financially.

In light of these alarming odds, Children & Families of Iowa and the Department of Human Services began Elevate in 2005. The program's mission is to transition foster youth into independent adults and self-advocates who can successfully educate others about the child welfare system.

"We think Elevate is an awesome and much-needed program, and we hope to see more chapters open up across the state," adds Hartog.

Lamont echoes that sentiment. "I'm truly honored and grateful for this award. I view this as a great opportunity to gain exposure and connections in the community for Elevate. I hope that Elevate keeps growing and gains the support needed to open chapters in more communities, reach more youth and continue to make a difference the way we have been.'"

There are currently 10 chapters of Elevate located in the following communities: Ames, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Mason City, Storm Lake and Waterloo. The Davenport Elevate group meets from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of month at the Annie Wittenmyer Complex, 2800 Eastern Ave., Cottage 13. For more information or to volunteer, you can contact Chantell Lamont at 563-381-3741 or chantell.elevate@hotmail.com.

Children & Families of Iowa is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring hope, building futures and changing lives throughout Iowa. With offices in Ankeny, Centerville, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Marshalltown and Osceola, Children & Families of Iowa is restoring hope for victims of domestic violence, helping teens find their futures, creating safe homes for children, preparing children to succeed and helping people reshape their lives. Last year, Children & Families of Iowa served more than 21,000 individuals in all of Iowa's 99 counties.

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Did you know that our entire fourth floor was totally rennovated into a beautiful banquet hall space? Windows wrap around the space offering amazing views of the Mississippi River and Downtown Davenport during the day. At night, the space transforms into an elegant setting with spectacular views of a vibrant downtown and the lighted Centennial bridge.

Our banquet hall holds 100 people and offers all of your audio visual needs. As an added bonus for you, when you rent our banquet hall your guests will enjoy $1 off admission to the museum during your rental time.

If you are intersted in viewing our banquet space for a possible rental, please email director@gahc.org or contact 563-322-8844.

Banquet Hall Rental Rates
$225 FOR UP TO 3 HOURS (NON-MEMBER RATE)
$175 FOR UP TO 3 HOURS (MUSEUM MEMBER RATE)
$100 PER ADDITIONAL HOUR

The Figge Art Museum is one of more than 600 museums to offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer

Davenport, Iowa -?Today The Figge Art Museum announced the launch of Blue Star Museums, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and more than 600 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2010.   Families can visit the Figge Art Museum at www.figgeart.org for museum hours.  The complete list of participating Blue Star Museums is available at www.arts.gov.


"America's museums are proud to join the rest of the country in thanking our military personnel and their families for their service and sacrifice," said National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Rocco Landesman. "I cannot imagine a better way to do that than welcoming them in to explore and enjoy the extraordinary cultural heritage our museums present.  The works of art on view this summer will inspire and challenge viewers, and sometimes they will just be a great deal of fun."


"There have always been wonderful examples of partnerships between museums and military installations, but the scale of this gift from the museum communities to military families is thrilling," said Blue Star Families Chairman Kathy Roth-Douquet.  "Military families work hard for this country, and it is gratifying for us to be recognized for that.  We anticipate that thousands of military families will participate in the program and visit museums this summer - many of them for the first time.  Blue Star Families will work hard to help our military families make the most of these opportunities."


In addition to being Chairman of Blue Star Families, Ms. Roth-Douquet is married to a Marine Corps officer, who is currently deployed to Afghanistan.  They have two children, and Ms. Roth-Douquet and the children plan to take a road trip this summer to visit Blue Star Museums up and down the East Coast.

More than 600 museums in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are taking part in the initiative.  The American Association of Museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors, and the Association of Children's Museums each sent a letter from NEA Chairman Landesman inviting museums to participate in this program.  In addition to thirty children's museums across the country, participating museums represent a broad range of art, history, science, and cultural topics -- from the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas, to the California Surf Museum in Oceanside, California, to the Mission San Luis, a living history site and historic landmark in Tallahassee, Florida, to the International Quilt Study Center & Museum at the University of Lincoln - Nebraska, the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois, and the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, New Hampshire.


Blue Star Museums runs from Memorial Day, May 31 through to Labor Day, September 6, 2010.  The free admission program is available to active duty military and their immediate family members (military ID holder and five immediate family members), which includes active duty Reserve and active duty National Guard.  Some special or limited-time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission program.  For questions on particular exhibits or museums, please contact the museum directly.  To find out which museums are participating, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.  The site includes a list of participating museums and a map to help with visit planning.


This is the latest Arts Endowment program to bring quality arts programs to the military, veterans, and their families.  Other NEA programs for the military have included Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience, Great American Voices Military Base Tour, and Shakespeare in American Communities Military Base Tour.


About Blue Star Families


Blue Star Families is a national, non-partisan, non-profit network of military families from all ranks and services including guard and reserve, with a mission to support, connect and empower military families.  In addition to morale and empowerment programs, Blue Star Families raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life with civilian community and leaders.  Membership includes spouses, kids, parents, service members, veterans and civilians.


Operation Appreciation is an initiative of Blue Star Families that seeks to connect military families to the larger community.  Blue Star Families 2009 annual survey shows that 94 percent of military families feel that the larger community doesn't truly understand or appreciate the sacrifices we make for the country.  Through initiatives such as Blue Star Museums, Blue Star Families provides avenues for the larger community to show that they do understand, in meaningful ways that enrich the lives of military service members, spouses, children and parents.  For more information, please visit www.BlueStarFam.org.

About the National Endowment for the Arts


The NEA is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts - both new and established - bringing the arts to all Americans, and providing leadership in arts education.  Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Arts Endowment is the largest annual national funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases. For more information, please visit www.arts.gov.

Davenport, Iowa   5/11/10.  Scott County Kids Empowerment Board unanimously approved Fiscal Year 2011 budget investing over  $1.9 million dollars into Scott County early childhood programs.  The state and federal dollars are specifically allocated for programming to support the healthy development of children birth through age five residing in Scott County.  The Scott County Kids Empowerment Board members renewed their commitment to these families and the community by funding a continuum of services ranging from direct in-home services aimed at supporting children and families ensuring that early education and child care providers have affordable and accessible training opportunities in order to provide or expand a child's day in a high quality learning environment.

On a yearly basis, the Scott County Kids Empowerment Board reviews its community priorities and has current contract holders undergo a reapplication process with the purpose of insuring that the needs of children ages birth through five are being addressed.  At the board meeting held on May 11, 2010, Scott County Kids Empowerment Board members renewed contracts with many providers, including Genesis Visiting Nurses, who will continue to administer two programs, Universal Assessment and Bright Beginnings.  Their combined contracts total $536,318.00. Genesis Visiting Nurses partners with Genesis Health System and Trinity Medical Center in offering every Scott County mother and newborn a specialized complimentary hospital visit and a follow up home visit from a nurse.  This program is designed to support a successful transition from hospital to home and is vital for the newest Scott County citizens to begin a healthy and safe start.  The Bright Beginnings program provides ongoing home visitation services to families who qualify.  Additionally, Friendly House's contract was renewed.  They will continue to administer both child care and preschool scholarships for Scott County children who are under age five and whose families meet income guidelines.  The amount approved for the Friendly House contact was $631,622.00.

Scott County Kids Board members adjusted early childhood programming funding to meet the significant reduction of funds from the Office of Empowerment for FY 11.  The allocation from the Iowa legislation, was reduced by $159,401.00 for Scott County.  However, Board members were grateful for the amount knowing funding could have been reduced further.  Scott County Kids board president, Jennifer Kakert says, "despite the reduction in funds we are glad the legislature continues to recognize the importance of early childhood care and education.  We look forward to another successful year of partnering with a variety of agencies and individuals to offer vital services to our youngest citizens. "

For more information about Scott County Kids Empowerment, please contact 563-326-8221 or www.scottcountykids.org

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