Application deadline approaching for students seeking scholarships abroad
The application deadline for the 2015-2016 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad scholarship program is January 7, 2015.
The program provides full scholarships to American high school students to experience overseas communities and cultures, preparing students to collaborate on world challenges such as human rights, community and workforce development, climate change, and global health.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the YES Abroad program enables students to study for one academic year in countries that may include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ghana, South Africa, India, Indonesia, Macedonia, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Philippines, Thailand, and Turkey.
The merit-based scholarship covers domestic and international travel, Visa applicable fees, medical benefits, room and board, tuition at the local high school, orientations, and fees for educational and cultural activities.
Participants in the program fully immerse themselves in the culture of their host family while attending the local school.
Interested students should visit www.yes-abroad.org to learn more about the program and to apply. Contact the YES Abroad program at yesabroad@afsusa.org or (800) 237-4636, ext. 2151, for more information about the program or the application process.
Child advocate group holding informational session
Hudson County CASA (court appointed special advocate) is recruiting volunteers to advance the best interests of abused and neglected children.
An informational session, addressing the program and the role of its volunteers, will be held on Tuesday, Jan 13, from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 901 of the Hudson County Administration Building, 595 Newark Ave., Jersey City.
For more information, call (201) 795-9855, e-mail mgarcia@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.
Volunteers needed at New Jersey Blood Services
New Jersey Blood Services, which supplies blood products and services to 60 hospitals throughout the state, is in need of volunteers at blood drives.
“The blood service volunteer is an integral member of the collection team, whose task it is to assist donors with registration, escorting, and canteen duties, and to watch for post-donation reactions,” said R. Jan Zepka, manager of community relations.
Volunteers should have the ability to relate to the public, be able to perform various jobs as needed, and have the willingness to follow rules.
For additional information, contact Zepka at (732) 616-8741 or rzepka@nybloodcenter.org.
Volunteers wanted for Hudson Medical Reserve Corps
If you would like to volunteer during public health emergencies and natural disasters in Hudson County, the Hudson Regional Health Commission Medical Reserve Corps is looking for you.
MRC units are made up of locally based volunteers. They include medical and public health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, mental health professionals, dentists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists. Other community members, such as interpreters, chaplains, office workers, and legal advisers, fill vital support positions.
Volunteers give a minimal amount of time and have the choice to respond locally only or to be deployed outside the county.
Volunteers participate in various trainings and drills throughout the year, enhancing their preparedness skills, and heightening their ability to respond to many different types of events.
For more information, visit the HRHC website at hudsonregional.org and click on “Medical Reserve Corps” on the menu bar on the left. Interested individuals can also call Christina Butieb-Bianco, MRC coordinator, at (201) 223-1133, or email mrc@hudsonregionalhealth.org.