AmeriCorps members show they care

by Sam Spitzer

AmeriCorps Program Director

The AmeriCorps Program service year is underway. Members are even now at their host sites and working on projects that support youth leadership and development and strengthen communities. Each member serves at a different organization and thus works independent of the team for the majority of the year.

However, an important component of the AmeriCorps Program are its team days. Team days take place two to three times per month and provide an opportunity for the AmeriCorps Program's eighteen members to connect with one another, connect with staff, learn new skills, serve the community, relieve stress, and have fun.

On their most recent team day, members completed a service project as part of United Way of Snohomish County's 14th Annual Day of Caring. Members joined over 1,000 volunteers in the largest one-day volunteer mobilization project in Snohomish County.

On September 15, 2006, the AmeriCorps team joined over 200 people on Jetty Island and completed tasks such as litter pickup and invasive plant removal. The project was coordinated by the Stilly-Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force with the goal of helping to make Jetty Island a healthier habitat for people, fish, and wildlife.

While members spend their year serving at-risk youth, team day service projects allow members to contribute to other important causes as well. The AmeriCorps Program thanks United Way and the Task Force for coordinating this fun day of service to the community.

Check back every month for AmeriCorps Program updates, photos, and success stories. Or visit our web site for current information.

The Snohomish County AmeriCorps team on Jetty Island. Standing (L to R): Lisa, Craig, Erin, Jennifer, Andy, Shannon, Julia, Tre, and Sami. Seated (L to R): Brooke, Sally, Program Director Samantha, Program Coordinator Julie, Raid, Natasha, Laura, and Marree.