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Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor recently took part in a roundtable, co-hosted by the Aspen Institute and Root Cause Public Innovators, to discuss the newly released report, “Advancing Social Entrepreneurship: Recommendations for Policy Makers and Government Agencies”. Included in the panel were a government official, a social entrepreneur, two think tank policy experts representing the political left and right, and an expert on social entrepreneurship.

In today’s Washington Post, there’s a photo of Senator and Mrs. Kennedy taken yesterday, after he left the hospital. They’re walking down to their dock on their way to go sailing, both dressed in matching City Year red jackets (City Year is an America Forward coalition member). “Good for him!” was my first thought. Then I said a silent “thank you”—for everything he has done to promote the work we care about so deeply. Senator Kennedy has been an enthusiastic champion of City Year for years, and it’s safe to say that City Year would not be as robust as it is today without him. In fact, AmeriCorps wouldn’t be around if it weren’t for his unwavering support of service. He continues to support the work of social entrepreneurs, including working with America Forward coalition member Citizen Schools to introduce the T-FELAS Act, which will create a 10,000-member national corps of recent college graduates who would lead after-school programs and work in schools in the morning. Thank you, Senator Kennedy.

For months, America Forward has been offering the presidential campaigns site visit and service opportunities with coalition organizations. We are excited to let you know that this past weekend we had a successful event with Chelsea and President Clinton! On Sunday, May 18th, President Clinton and Chelsea joined America Forward coalition members—“I Have A Dream” Foundation, Experience Corps, and Hands On Network—at Woodlawn Elementary School in Portland to build a community garden and highlight the innovative work being done by social entrepreneurs. More than 120 people participated and numerous local and national press outlets covered the event.

For years, labor union members, large corporations, and retirees have had significant impact on the national dialogue about priorities and important issues in America. Now, nonprofits are joining the conversation and becoming engaged in the democratic process. Bob Egger, the president of DC Central Kitchen (a new member of the America Forward Coalition), has launched the V3 Campaign, a new effort designed to unite and raise the voice of the nonprofit sector in elections at the city, state, and federal level. In a recent Financial Times op-ed, Egger talks about why nonprofits are finally banding together to explore their political options:

Social entrepreneurship and active citizenship aren’t just for the 18 and over crowd. Even high school students and younger students are taking a growing part in the drive for social change.

According to Ann Hubert, a writer for Slate magazine, Mother’s Day can serve as an occasion to reflect on the disparities in family experiences and resources.

"The nonprofit sector is America's best hope for solving the pressing problems facing its communities," writes Shirley Sagawa in a recent article in Democracy Journal.

National Public Radio recently broadcast a story from Gulfport, Mississippi, where YouthBuild AmeriCorps members are still hard at work rebuilding communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina. To hear the story, click here.