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As we've previously reported on Impact, MSNBC's "Morning Joe" has teamed up with the HandsOn Network and Starbucks for Brewing Together, a new joint initiative aimed at encouraging public service and community involvement.
Their partnership kicked off a few months ago, with the "Morning Joe" crew proudly sipping from Starbucks cups during their morning broadcasts. Just last week, Starbucks announced an updated coffee, named Gold Coast Blend: Morning Joe Edition, which you can read about through Starbucks.
This morning, "Morning Joe" broadcast live from John McDonogh High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. The show discussed the devastation still seen in NOLA four years after Katrina, how this high school has struggled and ultimately excelled despite the setbacks. Joe Scarborough, an advocate for more effective reconstruction in New Orleans, has wanted the media to refocus on the tragedy of Katrina and what individuals can do to contribute to the rebuilding effort. The Brewing Together campaign also wants people to make public service a part of their everyday lives, starting tomorrow with a sponsored Day of Service.
To discuss these issues, "Morning Joe" put together an all-star line-up of writers and advocates for today's show: Newsweek contributing editor Julia Reed, ESPN's Digger Phelps, Starbucks U.S. President Cliff Burrows, Obama Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who joins "Morning Joe" via satellite from Washington, D.C.
They also highlighted City Year, a nonprofit which organizes a full year of public service for dedicated youth. City Year effectively instills a sense of magnanimity in today's young people by putting them in positions to be mentors and tutors to America's underprivileged. They're also facilitating many of the donations to John McDonogh High School, and a contribution to their New Orleans affiliate will go a long way toward many of their reconstruction efforts.
If you watched the show and want to know how you can further get involved, below are some actions that will point you in the right direction:
- Look up volunteer opportunities in your area through the HandsOn Network. Though "Morning Joe" was in New Orleans this morning, they want you to take action on whatever cause you're most passionate about. Ours is a country full of people in need, so take the time and look at how you can help in your community.
- Upload your videos on volunteering to joe.msnbc.com. They want to see how you're getting involved in public service and could show your video on the air!
- Donate to City Year through this link or the widget below. Your donations go directly to providing young people with the tools they need to give back to their community.
As a sign depicted on "Morning Joe" this morning said, "Education Is All A Matter Of Building Bridges." Watch Joe and Mika discuss the obstacles that John McDonogh High School has overcome and how you can get involved with Brewing Together's Day of Service:
Contributions made through the above widget go to the Causecast Foundation, the online donation nonprofit partner of The Huffington Post. Causecast does not take any fees from this transaction and guarantees that 100% of your donation, minus the PayPal transaction fee of .044%, will go to City Year.