CalSERVES VIP Fellows from around the state did some amazing
work during AmeriCorps Week.
We got the word out, and showed our communities why AmeriCorps
works. From service projects, to official
governmental recognitions, to our contest winners, our AmeriCorps Week efforts
demonstrated our passion for service, and our valuable impact in communities
throughout California. I want to highlight some of the unique AmeriCorps Week activities at Jewish Family Service, Cal Poly, and here at CalSERVES.
VIP Fellows
at Jewish Family Service of San Diego received recognition for their service by
their U.S. House Representative Scott Peters, Assemblyman Brian
Maienschein, and Senator Diane Feinstein! Representatives from the Peters and Maienschein offices also attended a lovely luncheon put on by Margot Schein, VIP Leader at JFS, to show official public support for the program
and their work. At the luncheon,
JFS CEO, Michael Hopkins, spoke about the value of service and volunteerism. There was even a guest appearance
from our Program Coordinator Lauren Serpa and Program Manager Sara Sitch who travelled all the way from Santa Rosa to
attend the event during their program site visits.
 |
| JFS VIPs at the AmeriCorps Week Luncheon, with Program staff Lauren Serpa and Sara Sitch |
The VIP
cohort at CalPoly SLO received an official proclamation from the San Luis
Obispo County Board of Supervisors recognizing AmeriCorps Week in the county. They also spread the word to potential
future AmeriCorps members while passing out AmeriCorps swag at a Farmer’s
Market in downtown San Louis Obispo.
 |
| CalPoly SLO VIPs outside the county office with the AmeriCorps Week proclamation in hand. |
The VIP team here at CalSERVES kicked off AmeriCorps Week
with a service project, at VIP partner site Catholic Charities, where we cooked
dinner for the sixty people staying at the organization’s Family Support Center.
We also received a proclamation from the Mayor that recognized the collective impact of
AmeriCorps in Santa Rosa. From tutoring at risk
students, to homeless outreach, to family support networks, it was great to see
the broad and meaningful impact of AmeriCorps service in our city being recognized by the City Council.
 |
| CalSERVES VIPs with other AmeriCorps members receiving a proclamation with the City Council. |
I’m glad to see our VIP program getting the word out and
about. AmeriCorps service is a unique opportunity that is often challenging and
unglamorous, but when we step back and realize our collective impact, it is
clear that our service is important and invaluable to the individuals and
communities we serve.
by Alex Rowan, Local
VIP Leader at CalSERVES
No comments:
Post a Comment