AmeriCorps serves

By Sam Spitzer

AmeriCorps Program Director

AmeriCorps Program members participate in team service projects throughout the year, typically one project each month. Service projects and service learning are at the heart of the AmeriCorps Program. Service-learning uses problem-solving, hands-on activities, and reflection to enhance both learning and service while promoting personal development and civic responsibility. At the same time the AmeriCorps team is providing valuable service to our community, they are also learning to better work as a team and developing lasting relationships with one another and the people they serve.

During the service year, the AmeriCorps members are charged with planning five of the service projects. To do this, members break into small working committees of four people; each committee is responsible for planning one service project.

Committees discuss the kinds of activities that are appropriate for the team and then ensure that every detail of the service day is organized. This includes contacting organizations to arrange the service project, creating an agenda for the day, providing the agenda and directions to all members, leading the service project, ensuring things go smoothly during the project, and facilitating a reflection activity following the project.

Service projects are designed around a theme or a national day of service, including Make a Difference Day, Family Volunteer Day, MLK Day, Cesar Chavez Day, and Youth Volunteer Day.

For Make a Difference Day on October 20, members volunteered at Tomorrow's Hope, a non-profit childcare center providing services for those who are homeless, in transitional housing, or low-income. Tomorrow's Hope does not often have volunteers, so our group of 19 people made a large impact on the organization. In the morning, members interacted with children of all ages, providing extra adult interaction to the children. In the afternoon, members cleaned the childcare center, paying attention to details that Tomorrow's Hope staff often do not have time for.

For Family Volunteer Day on November 10, members volunteered at the Grandview Community Center . Members planned a Mexican Fiesta for the 150+ families that live in the Grandview community. Not only did members cook a delicious meal, they cleaned and decorated the space and spent time getting to know the residents. It was a fun-filled day that members and the residents are sure to remember for years to come.