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Independent Living Services’ application for the Arkansas Coalition for Excellence’s Nonprofit Capacity Building Program has been accepted.

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Arkansas Nonprofit Capacity Building Program

This program is intended to build the capacity of nonprofit community and faith-based organizations to better serve those in need, and to increase nonprofit organizations’ ability to address economic recovery issues in their communities, such as helping low-income individuals find employment, improve skills and attain better jobs, and access to Federal and State benefits. The program includes workshops to train nonprofit organizations on best management practices and will provide direct technical assistance to individual organizations.

The program is funded by a grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is managed by the Arkansas Coalition for Excellence.

Independent Living Services is part of a group of 20 organizations participating in the Central Region of Arkansas in this program. There are similar groups gathering for the program in northwest, southwest, southeast and northeast regions of Arkansas.

The series of workshops begin Wednesday, September 15 in Little Rock.

The program consists of:

Nine training workshops on the topics of:

• • Strategic Planning
  • Program Development
  • Evaluation & Monitoring
  • Resource Development and Grant Writing
  • Communications for Nonprofits
  • Financial Management
  • Leadership
  • Collaboration & Community Engagement
  • Organizational Development

Technical assistance on the topics of:

• • Conducting a Strategic Planning Workshop & Writing the Plan
  • Writing & Submitting a Grant
  • Need areas specific to the Organization, Identified Through Assessment Tools

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Arkansas Coalition for Excellence

Arkansas Coalition for Excellence (ACE) is the Arkansas state association of nonprofit organizations and is Arkansas’ representative in the National Council of Nonprofits.

Members include nonprofits, foundations, businesses, and individuals committed to excellence in the state’s nonprofit sector.

ACE works with nonprofits of every size and function with one goal: maximizing effectiveness so that every donated dollar results in greater impact. This is achieved through a groundbreaking combination of training, collaboration, and networking, focused upon The Arkansas Diamond Standards(tm) for operational excellence. Additional benefits, such as cost sharing, public advocacy, and news on the nonprofit sector make ACE the connection to success for its members.

www.acenonprofit.org

Log Cabin Democrat

Revisiting the storm: Brother and sister Katrina survivors recall journey 5 years later

http://thecabin.net/news/2010-08-28/revisiting-storm

KTHV

5 years after Katrina: New Orleans family calls Arkansas home

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=115372&catid=2

Click the image for a larger view.

Jail & Bail

One of the March of Dimes favorite events, Jail & Bail brings together community leaders and ordinary citizens for a common cause… fighting birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Since its inception in 1957, more than 5 million citizens have volunteered their time in the name of fun – and a good cause.

March of Dimes

The March of Dimes mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies’ lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects, low birthweight.

www.marchofdimes.com

Mark your calendars for the 2010 Conway EcoFest to be held at Laurel Park the second Saturday in September – Saturday September 11th, 2010.

The Conway EcoFest is a non-traditional, highly interactive, educational community event  designed for all ages and diverse interests, and will take a broad and balanced look at our environment, similar to science/children’s museums.  Exhibits will engage and encourage participants to explore the overlapping nature of environmental issues and our daily lives. Many practical/local opportunities will be explored as well.

Profiles Productions, a division of Independent Living Services, has sponsored this event. Representatives from Profiles Productions will be available to answer any questions you may have during the event.

Profiles  Productions offers employment to over 40 people with developmental disabilities in recycling and contract work positions.

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EcoFest’s Mission

To create a highly interactive environmental community festival that celebrates the interconnected web of life, demonstrates present ecological issues and imbalances, and invites and portrays creative exploration of new ways of living that are more balanced, united and enjoyable.

www.conwayecofest.com

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Sailboat on a Lake by David K.

Watercolor on paper

“I think of Lake Conway in the evening when I look at my painting. I go fishing with a rod and reel on the lake sometimes.”

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Black American by Janice H.

Acrylic on canvas

“I like to draw and paint faces. I use bright colors that reflect my African-American culture.”

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Sea Waves of Color by Wesley E.

Acrylic on canvas

“The warm colors in the background remind me of waves, the blues remind me of the sea and the cross reminds me of Jesus dying for my sins.”

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The House by Terry A.

Acrylic on canvas

“I like the colors and the scenery. I would like to live here one day.”

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Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services.

CARF’s mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served.

Independent Living Services has been accredited by CARF for a period of three years for the following services:

• Community Services: Community Housing
• Community Services: Community Integration
• Community Services: Supported Living
• Employment Services: Organizational Employment Services