When Boswell-Johnson first
met Devin, the student was disengaged in the classroom and struggled with his
English language arts coursework. As Le’otis began to build a connection with
Devin, the student’s grades improved and his confidence grew.
When asked about his relationship with Boswell-Johnson,
Devin said proudly, “He changed my life.” Le’otis says that he always
believed Devin could be successful—the student just needed to realize it for
himself.
A Commitment to Student Success
Boswell-Johnson’s impact on
Devin is just one example of how City Year AmeriCorps members are committed to student
success. In recognition of Le’otis’ service to his school, students, and
community, he earned the 2018 Eli. J. Segal Bridge Builder Award, which honors one
outstanding City Year AmeriCorps member every year for their commitment to
building healthy communities through service and embodying the program’s
values.
Boswell-Johnson’s manager Lindsay
Rose said that Le'otis is “a model AmeriCorps member whose influence on
his team is profound.”
At CNCS, we are guided by a simple mission: to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. This year 300,000 AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers – ranging from teenagers to centenarians and every age in between – are giving their time and energy to address some of the nation’s greatest challenges.
What does that mean for the national service members who will help millions of Americans this year?
It’s been a few months
since the Office of Research & Evaluation (ORE) first
introduced the seven grantees who received 2017
AmeriCorps State and National Evidence-based Planning Grants from the
Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Since then, the
organizations have continued the planning process and begun early
implementation of their programs that leverage AmeriCorps members to make a
local impact and address pressing societal needs.
In our second blog, we catch up with these grantees
to get the scoop on the progress made in program development, to understand
their current priorities, and to learn about opportunities and obstacles they
encountered along the way.
Antioch University
Antioch University is using its CNCS grant to explore an
alliance with the Job Corps program that enhances career preparation in the
health and science field, where participants practice their newly learned
skills as AmeriCorps members.
The university is currently in a “reconnaissance phase” of
program development, gathering information and identifying potential resources
for the AmeriCorps partnership. Antioch University is specifically looking into
the compatibility of apprenticeships, vocational schools, and community and
small colleges to better transition program graduates. These types of offerings
are important for the alignment of the curricula, as well as for building
connections between opportunity youth and pathways to success after AmeriCorps service.
For example, an ongoing review of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention research documents and training materials has yielded valuable
information and training resources, which also helps identify potential
business and industry opportunities in the program areas.
Take action
now to be prepared for hurricane season. As the storm approaches, it is
often too late to get ready. Make sure you have family evacuation and
communications plans, update your emergency supply kit, and evaluate your flood
insurance needs.
RT @AmeriCorps: 🎬 #TBT to these AmeriCorps recruitment relics, c. 1908.
Styles change 👖 but the spirit behind the service remains… https://t.co/dUd1ZAuQyo —
20 hours 48 min ago
Turning a day of tragedy into a day of good through volunteer service. ❤️ What will your act of good be on #911Day… https://t.co/AC5wqbHLiH —
1 day 21 min ago
