The following story is about VIP Fellow Alphonso Russ, who is serving at Sanctuary Outreach to the Streets. It was written by his supervisor, Joe Martinez, Community Relations and Outreach Manager at EOC Sanctuary. This story details the kind of passion and dedication that so many of our VIP Fellows have and develop over their year of service.
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Answering the call to service, is how Alphonso Russ describes his purpose and mission in his young life as an Americorps VIP member through HandsOn Central California. Since September 2010, the 22 year-old college student has served as a dedicated street outreach worker helping hundreds of Fresno’s homeless and street youth leave the streets and find safe and secure housing. “It about building relationships,” says Russ as he bravely walks the streets handing out emergency food, clothing and hygiene products as part of his street based services through EOC Sanctuary and Youth Services. Also, as the volunteer coordinator, Alphonso links these young and vulnerable people who traditionally do not volunteer with community service projects so they can give back to improve their communities. Alphonso has recruited and managed 86 youth volunteers who have contributed more than 600 hours toward feeding the homeless, organizing clothing giveaways, and conducting community outreach. Alphonso also contributes his time toward operating a Drop-In-Center for homeless youth, monitoring the agency social network sites, and conducting workshops for transitional aged youth. Alphonso believes in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, “Everyone Can be Great, because anybody can serve.”
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