Serve Reflect Repeat
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The Many Faces of AmeriCorps
In his book on the passage of the National and Community Service Act of 1993, Steven Waldman refers to AmeriCorps as “the public policy equivalent of a Swiss army knife, performing numerous useful functions in one affordable package.” The many kinds of activities AmeriCorps members undertake – and the many kinds of benefits they seek to provide – have been important strengths of the program. As the stories in this volume suggest, in the past two decades, AmeriCorps members have served communities in almost every imaginable way and helped people of all ages and backgrounds. They have also helped themselves, not only by earning money for further education, but also by acquiring skills and outlooks that have shaped their lives.
These stories are inspiring and by no means, untypical. I heard many like them when I served first, as a board of directors member, and then, as CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, or CNCS, the Federal agency that sponsors AmeriCorps. I also saw AmeriCorps members at work throughout the United States, giving generously of their time and effort.
But stories can only go so far. The many faces of AmeriCorps also pose a challenge for the program. Its identity is not always clear and its accomplishments, harder to see. Twenty years after its creation, AmeriCorps enjoys a favorable reputation in the minds of Americans; but because its public support is wide, but not deep, it has grown slowly and still faces efforts to abolish it entirely. What exactly is AmeriCorps and why is it worth having?
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About the Book
100% of the proceeds of this book will be donated to an organization that supports national service.
One of the most important things to know about national service is that anyone can participate. Every single person has something to contribute. This book highlights twenty-two individuals who have served in various national service programs. Their stories bring to life what it means to serve. There are stories of challenges, triumphs, community, change, love, and the impact national service has in shaping lives.
As these stories are read and shared, I hope they inspire others to tell their stories of national service. Because this is a conversation, that is infinitely worth having in our nation.
About the Author
LESLIE LENKOWSKY is a Professor of Practice at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs and affiliated with the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana University. From 2001 to 2003, he served as CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, after having previously served on its Board of Directors.
RACHEL OGOREK is currently putting her education award to good use by pursuing her Masters in Public Administration in Nonprofit Management at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs as well as her Masters in Philanthropy at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy.
NICOLE VERA is currently an AmeriCorps Program Manager at Reading Partners, a national education nonprofit focused on increasing literacy skills among elementary school students from low income communities. She continues to volunteer with the Sacred Valley Project, a nonprofit dedicated to improving access to education for young women from low-income families in remote, mountain communities of Peru's Sacred Valley. More of her writing can be found at servingforward.tumblr.com.
ANNA LENHART is the Founder of the Next Generation of Service, which connects young people to social change organizations by offering vocational mentorship and promoting community and international service as a component of any career path. Learn more about becoming a mentor or receiving guidance at www.ngsmovement.org.
BLAKE SHULTICE recently completed his second year of Teach for America at the Milwaukee Academy of Science in Wisconsin. In the fall of 2014, he will be teaching 4th grade in West Branch, Iowa.
ANDALISA LOPEZ is continuing to pursue social justice at a national literacy organization in Washington, DC. She hopes to put her education award to good use in the near future and looks forward to building more bridges between education and service.
DILLI R CHAPAGAI became a United States citizen on March 10, 2014. Given this new status he hopes to apply to Peace Corps in the next few months so that he can continue to serve. Currently, Dilli works as an interpreter so that he is able to help other refugees adjust to life in America. If you would like to know more about his story please contact him at dillu_chapagai22@yahoo.com.
JARRAD PLANTE is working on a doctorate in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies for Higher Education at the University of Central Florida and a Graduate Assistant for Volunteer UCF. Jordan Plante currently works as the Executive Director for City Year Orlando. Together, J&J continue to "get things done for America" by serving their local community. Contact Info: jarrad.plante@gmail.com.
CRISTINA BACOR is committed to education, social justice, and equality for all. She relishes work with organizations to create opportunities for people to build better lives for themselves. Cristina is a Senior Director with CCS and is currently in Indianapolis with the Kiwanis International Foundation and the global campaign to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, The Eliminate Project. This UNICEF partnership will raise $110 million to save or protect more than 61 million mothers and babies from tetanus.
KYLE KENT continues to work full time as the Site Coordinator for Bend Area Habitat for Humanity. Providing critical support to both new construction crews and the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative and it's affiliated programs throughout Oregon.
SAMANTHA MAIRSON is currently hiking the Appalachian Trail! She is returning to the University of Connecticut in the fall to finish her bachelor’s degree. She is an aspiring librarian.
DWIGHT R OWENS continues to inspire others as a motivational speaker and author of "Still Standing." For more information on his story, his mission, or to book him for speaking engagements please visit his website at www.StillStandingWithDwight.com.
KATHRYN DEBROS M.S., works as a special education teacher in rural Vermont, specializing in children with difficult behaviors. Outside of school, she does some freelance writing. She can be reached at Kathryn.debros@gmail.com.
GWENDOLYN MORRIS has been a volunteer with Alachua County Foster Grandparent Program for two years in Gainesville, Florida. In her spare time she enjoys helping children in her community and church as well as being a mother to three children and a grandmother to four grandchildren.
ANDREA SHULTICE recently finished a Master of Arts in Global History at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She plans to spend a few years serving first generation college students at a small liberal arts college in Iowa before returning to school to earn her Ph.D. in Latin American History, with hopes of teaching at a small college someday.
AVERY OLMSTEAD earned a Masters of Library & Information Science in 2008 from the University of South Carolina. He will soon be completing a 2.5 year stint as an Independent Librarian Consultant for the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois - Chicago. Avery's next goal is to figure out whether he wants to work towards being a law librarian, public librarian or public policy analyst. Email: averyolmstead@gmail.com
ERIN BUSK is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Affairs in Public Policy at Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs in Indianapolis. She is also working in the nonprofit field, managing and mentoring teens affected by the juvenile justice system. To contact: erin.busk@yahoo.com
CAITLIN CLOSSER has parted ways with her aforementioned job in order to transition her career into working full-time in the service sector. She continues to stay engaged with Rebuilding Together and is now leading the AmeriCorps Alums Chicago chapter as President.
BETSY LAAKSO is continuing a life dedicated to National Service as the National Services Director for the American Red Cross. If you'd like to know more you can contact Betsy at betsy.laakso@gmail.com. This chapter has been dedicated to the memory of Paige Thomas, a friend who stood apart from others in the world with her uninhibited spirit and relaxed nature.
MELISSA GROBER-MORROW is Senior Director of Economic Opportunity Programs at Points of Light, where she runs national AmeriCorps VISTA programs. When she’s not working, she can be found teaching yoga or singing. She currently lives in Birmingham, AL with her husband, son, and dog.
JESSI PRYOR is currently a stay at home mom. Prior to the birth of her son, she worked as a dialysis social worker and school social worker.
MARLEY BALASCO hopes to eventually start a non-profit that works to promote community based youth programming promoting life skills in underserved youth.
ERIC SHOVEIN recently finished his J.D. at Wayne State University Law School and moved onto the finalist stage of the Presidential Management Fellowship. He is currently trying to find an agency placement in the federal government allowing continued service.
KATE CAMARA is an English Literature graduate of Taylor University. She currently lives in New York City where she is an intern at Hephzibah House. Through this ministry she offers free English as Second Language (ESL) classes to the community. She also works part time as an ESL teacher in Time Square. Through Indiana University's distance education program Kate is working on her Masters in Language Education.
ERIC NELSON WALTON is currently living in Indianapolis as an artist, illustrator, designer, and photographer. He hopes all of his work shows that truth is harsh, raw, and beautiful.