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The annual Better Communities Include Everyone (BCIE) recognition program, established by the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, Volunteer Florida, was created to encourage not-for-profit and governmental organizations to recruit greater numbers of volunteers with disabilities to serve the community.
For more information and history about the BCIE click here to download our signature project document.
Abilities of Florida, Inc. and Alliance Support Corps Recognized in 2010 for Effective Practices of Including Persons with Disabilities In Community Volunteering through the BCIE!
On July 29, 2010 Abilities of Florida, Inc. from Pinellas County and Alliance Support Corps from Orange County were presented with the first of its kind Better Communities Include Everyone Award designed by Brenda Smoak. Brenda is a Very Special Arts (VSA) Fellow and works at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida.
Alliance Support Corps - “Providing individuals with expanded opportunities through meaningful life experiences and personal relationship” is the mission of Alliance Support Corps. Upon being recognized for his organization’s efforts to engage person with disabilities in community volunteering Paul Durand, President remarked “First of all, I feel like I am going to cry. It is such an honor to receive this award for Alliance Supports Corp., which started as a dream for me in 2002. Our whole program is based on volunteering. I know I'm preaching to the choir here, there's a lot of need. It’s made a world of difference to the people we serve and also made a world of difference to the community.” Abilities of Florida - The mission of Abilities of Florida is to “provide individuals with disabilities an exceptional service delivery experience through innovative and valued employment, training, rehabilitation and support services.” Accepting the recognition on behalf of Abilities of Florida David Higgins, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer spoke about the value volunteering provides youth participating in Abilities High School High Tech Program. “We found that volunteering was a valuable tool in preparing young people for work. And that volunteering can lead to more opportunities for all the people we serve.” |
David Higgins, Chief Executive Officer for Abilities of Florida, Inc. with Members of the Volunteer Florida Inclusion Council accepts recognition award for the 2010 BCIE.
2011 Better Communities Include Everyone Recognition Program
Communities are stronger when everyone is given a chance to share their abilities, efforts and talents. The BCIE Recognition Program, established by the Volunteer Florida Inclusion Council, was created to encourage not-for-profit and governmental organizations to recruit greater numbers of volunteers with disabilities in local community volunteer opportunities. The questionnaire collects information from participating organizations on:
- Outreach and Recruitment
- Engagement Strategies
- Inclusive Practices
- Retention
- Evaluation
- Benefits and Opportunities
Program Recognition
Up to two organizations will be recognized annually and these organizations will:
- Receive a $500 grant to be used by June 30th of the following year to support and improve the organization’s efforts to include volunteers with disabilities in their community.
- Receive an award designed by an artist with a disability.
- Receive travel support to be recognized by Volunteer Florida at the Annual AmeriCorps Programs Disability Partners Meeting.
Previous award recipients may submit a new application the following year; however it would have to be for a different project administered by the organization.
How Can My Organization Submit a Questionnaire?
There are two different applications for submission for the BCIE initiative. One version is for organizations whose primary mission is to serve persons with disabilities. Organizations that fall into this category are: Centers for Independent Living, Light Houses for the Blind, Veteran’s Affairs, and ARCs. The second version is for organizations whose primary missions are in other areas of community need such as public libraries, park services, environmental resource programs, abuse shelters, food banks, and American Red Cross chapters. If you have questions about your organization’s eligibility please see below for contact information.
Paul Durand, President, Alliance Support Corps with
Members of the Volunteer Florida Inclusion Council
accepts rec ognition award for the 2010 BCIE.
Submitting is as easy as 1-2-3!
1. Select and Complete the appropriate questionnaire.
Two different questionnaires have been developed to solicit information from organizations that are working to include persons with disabilities:
Questionnaire for Non-Profits or Governmental Entities without a Disability Focus
Questionnaire for Non-Profits or Governmental Entities that have a Disability Focus
2. Complete, save and submit your questionnaire.
- All applications must be typed using the provided application in 12 point font of either Arial or another San Serif font. NO PDFs or hand written applications will be accepted!
- All applications must be submitted electronically.
- Once you have completed the questionnaire save it by adding your agency name at the end of the filename. For example: “2011 BCIEDisability Focus_Ability1st.” Be sure to save it on your computer where you can access it later.
3. Submit the survey to Volunteer Florida by the deadline of August 15, 2011.
Submit completed questionnaire and any supplemental information electronically to:
Better Communities Include Everyone
If you are unable to submit your questionnaire by e-mail please save your files on a CD and mail them to:
The Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, Volunteer Florida
The Elliot Building
401 S. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Organizations chosen for the $500 grant and to be recognized at the 2011 AmeriCorps Program Disability Partners Annual Meeting will be notified no later than September 1, 2011. For additional information please contact Paul Martell, Accessibility Program Manager, at 850-414-0093 voice/tty or BCIE@volunteerflorida.org.
2008: The Department of Environmental Protection-Florida Park Service
2010: (Two Winners) Alliance Support Corps and Abilities of Florida
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