How We Serve DC

Serve DC is the District of Columbia Government agency dedicated to promoting service as an innovative, sustainable solution to meet community needs.

With grant funds from the Corporation for National and Community Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Serve DC supports District communities by facilitating public, private and government partnerships, engaging residents in meaningful service opportunities, providing free trainings and resources, and helping community-based organizations strengthen their capacity to address the social challenges we face as a city and a nation.

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Just in case you&#8217;re not totally inspired to commit some time over at the Washington DC VA Medical Center, the fabulous young lady below is the oh-so amazing Ms. Alyce Dixon, WWII veteran and Center resident. Learn more about her amazing story and her secrets to longevity (did we mention she&#8217;s 104 years young?) at the USO&#8217;s On Patrol Magazine or the Washington Post. Spoiler alert: “If you share, you feel good.&#8221; and you&#8217;ve definitely &#8220;got to laugh.&#8221;

Just in case you’re not totally inspired to commit some time over at the Washington DC VA Medical Center, the fabulous young lady below is the oh-so amazing Ms. Alyce Dixon, WWII veteran and Center resident. Learn more about her amazing story and her secrets to longevity (did we mention she’s 104 years young?) at the USO’s On Patrol Magazine or the Washington Post. Spoiler alert: “If you share, you feel good.” and you’ve definitely “got to laugh.”

Posted on Thursday, May 24th 2012

Tags Washington DC VA Medical Center WWII veteran Memorial Day volutneer service DC USO Washington Post inspiration

Honor Veterans&#8217; Service with Your Own: Volunteer at the Washington DC VA Medical Center Located in the nation&#8217;s capital, only a short distance from the historic buildings that house today&#8217;s leaders and commemorate yesterday&#8217;s, the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center is one of the most visible and dynamic facilities in the VA system. This tertiary care teaching facility provides acute general and specialized services in medicine, surgery, neurology and psychiatry, as well offering nursing home care unit treatment. The medical center also oversees a satellite Substance Abuse Clinic and three Vet Centers. The medical center&#8217;s staff of 1,700 provides care to veterans residing in the District of Columbia and portions of Virginia and Maryland. The medical center treats over 50,000 veterans and has over 500,000 outpatient visits each year. Believe us, this place does some amazing work for some of the most amazing people we&#8217;ve had the privilege of meeting, and while much of that is the result of the Medical Center&#8217;s incredible, hard-working staff, it is also thanks in part to a cadre of dedicated volunteers. The DC VA Medical Center has tons of volunteer opportunities, and would also love to hear about any special skills or expertise you may have that would benefit their patients. Learn more about their various available opportunities or fill out a volunteer application here. And even if you don&#8217;t have the time to go over there and  hang out with the residents, first of all, you are definitely missing out, but don&#8217;t worry, you can always show your support by hosting a donation drive to benefit DC VA Medical Center residents. Learn more about donating to the Center here or contact the Voluntary Services Office for more information. Trust me though, you should definitely make the effort to drop off the items in person :) 

Honor Veterans’ Service with Your Own: Volunteer at the Washington DC VA Medical Center

Located in the nation’s capital, only a short distance from the historic buildings that house today’s leaders and commemorate yesterday’s, the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center is one of the most visible and dynamic facilities in the VA system. This tertiary care teaching facility provides acute general and specialized services in medicine, surgery, neurology and psychiatry, as well offering nursing home care unit treatment. The medical center also oversees a satellite Substance Abuse Clinic and three Vet Centers.

The medical center’s staff of 1,700 provides care to veterans residing in the District of Columbia and portions of Virginia and Maryland. The medical center treats over 50,000 veterans and has over 500,000 outpatient visits each year.

Believe us, this place does some amazing work for some of the most amazing people we’ve had the privilege of meeting, and while much of that is the result of the Medical Center’s incredible, hard-working staff, it is also thanks in part to a cadre of dedicated volunteers.

The DC VA Medical Center has tons of volunteer opportunities, and would also love to hear about any special skills or expertise you may have that would benefit their patients. Learn more about their various available opportunities or fill out a volunteer application here. And even if you don’t have the time to go over there and  hang out with the residents, first of all, you are definitely missing out, but don’t worry, you can always show your support by hosting a donation drive to benefit DC VA Medical Center residents. Learn more about donating to the Center here or contact the Voluntary Services Office for more information. Trust me though, you should definitely make the effort to drop off the items in person :) 

Posted on Wednesday, May 23rd 2012

Tags Memorial Day volunteer service opportunity DC Veterans military Washington DC VA Medical Center

Meet Serve DC’s Mission Continues Fellow Tony DeMarino!

In honor of Memorial Day, this we’re highlighting awesome volunteer and service opportunities and organizations that support our military servicemen and women, military families and veterans. And let me just tell you that we couldn’t be more excited to kick off our tribute, with a lil Q&A with Serve DC’s very own The Mission Continues Fellow Anthony (or much more affectionately, Tony) DeMarino!

1. What is Mission Continues and a Mission Continues Fellow?

The Mission Continues is a nonprofit organization started by veterans for veterans.  They provide opportunities for veterans to continue to serve their community after the uniform.  Through this service, each Mission Continues Fellow is enabled and empowered as a community organizer and Citizen Leader.

Learn more about The Mission Continues and its fellowship program!

2. Why did you decide to become a Mission Continues Fellow?

I became a Mission Continues Fellow to continue to serve my country and make an impact that improves the lives of those around me.  By continuing to serve the community here at Serve DC, I have the opportunity to affect the lives of many people, especially veterans, and to enable their success in their transition to civilian life.

Meet other Mission Continues Fellows!

3. Why do you think it is important for all Americans to serve their country or community in some way?

It is definitely important for all Americans to serve their country in one form or another, even though it doesn’t have to be military service, to truly understand the breadth and depth of our country. Only through firsthand experience can we gain the knowledge and understanding required to create successful, diverse communities.  Whether it’s culture, religion, or politics, reaching across the aisle through actions is the foundation for fostering the relationships that make us better and stronger and individuals, as communities and, ultimately, as a nation.

4. Why are you so committed to service?

I am committed to service because I want to continue to make a difference through my life’s work.  For all of my friends that I have served with who have made the ultimate sacrifice, my life, and how I choose to spend my time is their legacy.  They have given so much for me and my community, the least I can do is continue to serve to ensure their immeasurable legacy continues.

Posted on Tuesday, May 22nd 2012

Tags service volunteer military Memorial Day DC veterans honor sacrifice

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Mark Twain

Posted on Friday, May 18th 2012

Tags Mark Twain inspiration quote

DC Farm to School Network Needs Awesome Volunteers (Like You) for its 5/23 Strawberries & Salad Greens Event!

Do your part to keep DC kiddos healthy and sign up to volunteer at the DC Farm to School Network’s 3rd annual “Strawberries & Salad Greens” event on May 23.

We need some enthusiastic, energetic volunteers (like you) to teach kids about healthy, local food in school cafeterias! Volunteers will help educate students about where their food comes from, and lunches will feature fresh, local strawberries and salad greens. Learn more at the link or email Erin to sign up!

Posted on Wednesday, May 16th 2012

Tags volunteer service opportunity DC kids healthy