ABOUT US

Volunteer Mississippi’s mission is to engage and support Mississippians of all ages and backgrounds in service to their communities. Established in 1994 as the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service (MCVS), Volunteer Mississippi has worked to encourage a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility to America. In partnership with AmeriCorps, and faith-based and community organizations statewide, Volunteer Mississippi is fostering community engagement and building volunteer capacity throughout the state.

The bulk of our programs support and enhance Pre-K and K-12 education initiatives throughout the state, teaching students vital skills they will carry with them throughout their lives. National service opportunities contribute heavily to Mississippi workforce development, offering participants practical experience and on-the-job training.

Mississippians are no strangers to hardship and peril; but while it’s made us tough, we haven’t let it make us hard. We take care of our own, whether it’s in times of disaster, or the everyday heroism of investing time and energy into our neighborhoods, schools and churches. No matter how daunting, Mississippians jump in to help with little thought of thanks or recognition. Volunteering isn’t a pastime for Mississippians; it is an integral part of our culture.

Our story—the story of volunteerism in Mississippi— is about service as a way of life. It’s about leadership in our communities, our schools and our churches. And it’s about results—statewide, volunteers and national service members are getting things done, making a difference for our children, our seniors, our veterans and military families.

Volunteers are writing the story of Mississippi’s future today. We invite you to put your talents, hobbies and skills to work in your own community. We can rise to meet our state’s challenges—not as isolated individuals, but as committed neighbors building a better, brighter future for all Mississippians.

State service commissions were created in the National and Community Service Trust Act as amended in 1993. State service commissions are the state partners of the federal agency, the Corporation for National and Community Service. State service commissions administer AmeriCorps State, Volunteer Generation Fund, and related programs to address critical community needs and engage citizens in service.

State Service Commissions:

• Are governor appointed public agencies or private nonprofit organizations, made up of more than 1,200 private citizens, leading the nation's philanthropic and service movement.
• Serve at the state level in re-granting more than a quarter of a billion dollars from federal national service funds in addition to the more than $100 million annually from local sources to support citizen service and volunteerism in America.
• Make it possible for millions of Americans to serve through AmeriCorps, Volunteer Generation Fund, AmeriCorps VISTA, Retired Senior Volunteer Programs, Foster Grandparents Programs, and Senior Companions and local volunteer programs.
• Make a difference to America by supporting other community service agencies that depend on volunteers to meet community needs.
• Make a difference in local communities by;
  • recognize volunteers through volunteer awards programs
  • increasing literacy in the community through before and after school tutoring and mentoring programs
  • increasing environmental education and awareness through weekend service activities
  • promote volunteering and provide training to nonprofits on volunteer management
  • aiding those in need of adequate housing through constructing and repairing homes
  • mentoring youth in detention programs, foster children, and teen mothers
  • helping to prevent family violence by assisting victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault, through Victims Court Advocate programs
  • rebuilding neighborhoods by participating in relief activities after a natural disaster
  • helping save a life through suicide prevention and crisis intervention services