COI Joins President Obama's United We Serve Initiative

Community Options, Inc. is taking part in United We Serve, a national effort launched by President Obama to engage more Americans in serving their communities this summer.

Community Options will be recruiting volunteers and hosting an upcoming volunteer project relative to Disability Awareness Month in October 2009, as part of the summer service initiative, which President Obama announced in a video message today.

“In these tough economic times, we need volunteers more than ever,” said Robert Stack, President and CEO. “Community Options, Inc. is facing increasing demands for services, and volunteers can help us fill this growing need. We are pleased to join this national effort and thank the President for making this call to service.”

United We Serve kicks off on June 22 and runs through September 11, which will be marked for the first time as a national day of service and remembrance. The initiative is being led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that improves lives and strengthens communities though volunteering and service.

“This summer, I'm calling on all of you to make volunteerism and community service part of your daily life and the life of this nation,” said President Obama in the video. “Economic recovery is as much about what you're doing in your communities as what we're doing in Washington – and it’s going to take all of us, working together.”

United We Serve focuses on five key areas where everyone can have a real impact in their community: education, health, energy and the environment; community renewal, and safety and security.

To make it easy for individuals to get involved, the Corporation created Serve.gov, a website that allows visitors to type in their zip code to find local volunteer opportunities, recruit volunteers by posting their organization’s projects, or get ideas for creating their own projects with friends, families, and neighbors. All of Community Options volunteer opportunities are listed on Serve.gov and can be found by searching volunteer opportunities.

“Everyone has something to give, and summer is a great time to get involved,” said Robert Stack, President and CEO. “By serving this summer, we hope more citizens will make an ongoing commitment to volunteering throughout the year,” added, Stack.