Service Politics in Addison County
Friday, January 25, 2008
The Service Politics Institute just completed its first service project in Addison County!
On January 19, 2008, SPI teamed up with Addison County legislators, local teens, and Middlebury College students to paint a wall mural in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Over 60 community members, including State Senator Claire Ayer and State Representatives Betty Nuovo, Steven Maier, and David Sharpe, came out to volunteer at the Addison Central Teen Center in Middlebury. Legislators painted alongside volunteers, ages 12 to 70+, and engaged in a rich discussion on afterschool program policy at the state and federal level.
The discussion itself revolved around the struggles that the Addison Central Teen Center has encountered since its inception in July, 2007. Due to the cuts in federal funding for afterschool programs, Representative Betty Nuovo mentioned that the states have taken over programs that have traditionally been funded by the federal government. The result becomes a questionable budget year to year and instability for the Addison Central Teen Center.
How does one effectuate change in this policy realm? Start local and gain support, said Senator Claire Ayer, then work up to the state. Senator Claire Ayer, Representative Steven Maier, and Representative Betty Nouvo encouraged teens to formulate specific proposals for the legislature and to write them letters. There is strength in numbers, the legislators attested, and they want to hear from their constituents.
Sponsorship for this project was provided by South Ridge community in Middlebury along with Middlebury College's Alliance for Civic Engagement and Office for Institutional Diversity. Countryside Carpet & Paint also provided generous donations of paint and supplies for the event.
Check out some pictures from the event!
Service Politics Mural at the Addison Central Teen Center: January 19, 2008
On January 19, 2008, SPI teamed up with Addison County legislators, local teens, and Middlebury College students to paint a wall mural in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Over 60 community members, including State Senator Claire Ayer and State Representatives Betty Nuovo, Steven Maier, and David Sharpe, came out to volunteer at the Addison Central Teen Center in Middlebury. Legislators painted alongside volunteers, ages 12 to 70+, and engaged in a rich discussion on afterschool program policy at the state and federal level.
The discussion itself revolved around the struggles that the Addison Central Teen Center has encountered since its inception in July, 2007. Due to the cuts in federal funding for afterschool programs, Representative Betty Nuovo mentioned that the states have taken over programs that have traditionally been funded by the federal government. The result becomes a questionable budget year to year and instability for the Addison Central Teen Center.
How does one effectuate change in this policy realm? Start local and gain support, said Senator Claire Ayer, then work up to the state. Senator Claire Ayer, Representative Steven Maier, and Representative Betty Nouvo encouraged teens to formulate specific proposals for the legislature and to write them letters. There is strength in numbers, the legislators attested, and they want to hear from their constituents.
Sponsorship for this project was provided by South Ridge community in Middlebury along with Middlebury College's Alliance for Civic Engagement and Office for Institutional Diversity. Countryside Carpet & Paint also provided generous donations of paint and supplies for the event.
Check out some pictures from the event!
Service Politics Mural at the Addison Central Teen Center: January 19, 2008
posted by The Service Politics Crew at
11:26 AM
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