•April 5, 2023•
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, released a notice of funding opportunity for fiscal year 2023 Volunteer Generation Fund. The Volunteer Generation Fund, open to State Service Commissions, local nonprofit, community, faith-based, tribal, state, and local governments and schools, focuses on investments for volunteer management practices.
The Volunteer Generation Fund is a competitive grant opportunity to strengthen nonprofit and other social service organizations’ ability to recruit, retain and manage mission-critical volunteers. AmeriCorps will make more than $8 million available for organizations with programs that meet community needs, expand volunteering, strengthen the capacity to recruit and retain skill-based volunteers and develop strategies to use volunteers effectively to solve problems. Read More

•April 5, 2023•
Marking the beginning of National Donate Life Month, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias unveiled the state’s organ and tissue donation campaign encouraging Illinoisans to “Join Together” and “Change Someone’s Story” by becoming organ and tissue donors.
“Some 4,000 Illinois residents are in need of a transplant, including many whose lives hang in the balance waiting for the availability of a suitable organ,” said Secretary Giannoulias. “April highlights the importance of how someone’s decision, to take less than one minute to sign up, will save lives and why it’s so important to get more people to register as donors.” Read More

Minors featured in commercial vlogs would have to be compensated

•April 5, 2023•
By Peter Hancock
Capitol News Illinois
phancock @ capitolnewsillinois.com

The Illinois Senate unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that gives financial protection to children whose parents make money posting videos of them on social media.
Those children are known as “influencers” because the videos, known as vlogs, are intended to generate interest in things like products and services or social and fashion trends. Vlogs that get enough views on platforms like YouTube, Facebook and TikTok can generate substantial revenue through things like advertising, partnerships with the platform or subscription fees. Read More

•April 5, 2023•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

Our lives are bombarded with negativity, stress and countless threats to our emotional well-being. New research in neuroscience and positive psychology show that when we experience happiness and positivity, it turns on all the learning centers in the brain and fuels positive outcomes in all aspects of our lives. Also, research shows that more happiness and positivity cause us to be three times more creative, 23% less fatigued and 31% more productive in life.
Based on research that was reviewed and presented by Dr. David Schramm of Utah State University, here are ten ways to become happier and more positive, and I think you’ll be surprised at how easy they are to do:
· Give thanks or practice gratitude Read More