Amass for AmeriCorps – Field Update 9

Behind the chain link fence and a few feet from the railroad tracks, through the winter landscape you can distinguish the red, green, brown, and blue of tents. Hidden away from Reno’s busy downtown area, at 4th and Record Street, these tents house people of all walks of life who ended up with no other place to live. They found their way to Reno’s Resource Center where people and their pets can receive the help they need. In the middle of this fragmented and impoverished group of people, you will find the heart of AmeriCorps pulsing strong through Karen Wilcox.

“As an AmeriCorps volunteer, I am lucky to have been chosen to help these folks move on to a more worthwhile existence.” Karen helps her clients by providing direction for specific resources as they fit the needs of each individual such as information about clinics, shelters, and food banks. She also is the primary point person for securing service donors for the annual service providers fair, a one-stop opportunity to receive free haircuts, dental care, clothing, and job information. (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps – Field Update 8

One person CAN make a difference…

AmeriCorps Alum Zenaida Solano did it by breaking language barriers!

Zenaida Solano served as Nye County community’s AmeriCorps Hispanic Advocate, taking on large tasks to help the Hispanic community of Pahrump, Nevada receive the aid and services they deserve. She provided over 700 translations and/or interpretations for the Spanish-speaking community. Her primary role was working with the Nye County School District to help parents deal with the school system in areas of truancy, suspension, special education planning, parent-teacher conferences, behavior intervention, and registration. She helped parents get immunizations for their children starting kindergarten, helped secure medical appointments, and helped complete tax forms all through breaking the language barrier and being their translator. Throughout all of her efforts, she served as a resource for her own workplace to ensure cultural sensitivity when collaborating with the Hispanic Community by improving the knowledge and skills of fellow staff members. (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps – Field Update 7

What inspires Celinda Pena to volunteer? “It’s the faces and the reactions I get from the people that I touch the lives of.”

Celinda was born in San Isidro, Cabañas, El Salvador. Her family relocated to Las Vegas in 1993 when she was 4 years old. After graduating from Desert Pine High School in 2007, she began classes at UNLV and joined AmeriCorps to serve through the United Way of Southern Nevada program. “AmeriCorps is a perfect opportunity for me to develop and grow as an individual. I started when I was 17 and now I am 21. I have really seen a big difference in how I touch people’s lives.”

Celinda decided to serve a second AmeriCorps term because she enjoyed being able to make a difference. She became a Luz Community Development Coalition AmeriCorps member in October 2009 and is currently the volunteer coordinator at Luz, where she recruits and manages a diverse group of volunteers that serve a number of area nonprofit organizations. Many of her volunteers are college students. (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps – Field Update 6

A willingness to work hard and a great attitude – that is what Amanda Schwantes brought to her AmeriCorps year with the Parasol AmeriCorps Team in Incline Village, Nevada. Amanda took charge of her assignment as a volunteer recruiter for the Tahoe Rim Trail Association with gusto.

For the Rim Trail, a scenic trail system along the crest of the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe, it was a time of major expansion. That meant finding more volunteers, lots of them. It was a huge job. Amanda understood she had to get out of the office and get her hands dirty—literally, working side-by-side with the volunteers on the trail, getting grubby, sharing blisters and jokes and small talk. She realized the secret to finding and keeping volunteers was the personal touch, letting volunteers know their effort would be recognized and appreciated. Attending every tabling event available in the Reno-Tahoe area, she reached out with a big smile and passion for the hard but gratifying work the volunteers would find if they signed up. The result: Amanda recruited more volunteers than ever. (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps! Field Update 5

Dannyn Smith was awarded Nevada AmeriCorps Member of the Year in 2010. Why? Take a moment and read about his AmeriCorps success story!

Dannyn had just graduated from high school when he signed up for the Nevada Conservation Corps AmeriCorps program, which works throughout Nevada on public lands doing field research and conservation service. “Entering the Corps at 19, I was unsure of myself and did not know if I had what it took to fulfill my commitment.” Dannyn embraced the challenge, working 10 hour days in rain and freezing temperatures, carrying tools weighing up to 25 pounds for miles in and out of a trail. He never complained, in fact he flourished. Before the end of his first year, his natural leadership skills became apparent. Dannyn was promoted to Crew Leader and then Senior Crew Leader in his second year, making him the youngest person given a supervisory position in the NCC program. (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps Campaign – Field Update 4

Amass for AmeriCorps! Update from the field, December 2, 2010

“I have developed a stronger sense of pride to continuously see the people of our cities, our communities, and our families led on a positive path to well-being.”

Meet Erick Alcantar, an AmeriCorps member currently serving his second year at HELP of Southern Nevada through the United Way of Southern Nevada AmeriCorps program. Erick is responsible for case managing, housing, and providing wraparound services to homeless families.

His latest success was with a gentleman on his caseload who is a single father, taking care of his two young daughters. The father was in desperate need of eyeglasses. Erick was able to coordinate with the Lion’s Sightfirst Foundation, who was able to provide his client with an eye exam, as well as new set of glasses.

Erick was recently recognized during October at the 2010 Points of Light Volunteer Recognition Luncheon for his time, talent, and effort as a Nevada volunteer. (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps! – Field Update 3

Amass for AmeriCorps! Update from the field, November 30, 2010

Full bellies, good grades, and smiles drive Genesis Vazquez, one of the 340 passionate AmeriCorps members who serve at 77 organizations through Nevada Volunteers. As we reflect on last week’s national day of Thanksgiving, we’d like to introduce you to Genesis and her AmeriCorps experience.

Genesis serves with Boys and Girls Club through the Luz Community Development Coalition in Las Vegas. She provides Leadership and Resiliency trainings for youth participants. She recently implemented a new program called “Girls Circle,” targeting teen girls by facilitating an open discussion about various topics that are currently impacting their lives.

Going beyond her AmeriCorps duties, Genesis is also heavily involved in the community. As a volunteer for the Latin Chamber of Commerce, she has been responsible for organizing a week-long conference for the Chamber’s Latino Youth Leadership initiative. In October, Genesis was appointed by Governor Gibbons as Youth Commissioner for Nevada Volunteers. She is also a sociology student at the College of Southern Nevada. (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps Update – Field Update 2

November 26, 2010

This week, Nevada Volunteers so proudly shared a tremendous AmeriCorps member’s story with you. It is our goal to continue to showcase inspiring and successful AmeriCorps stories with you this holiday season so that you can see why we are so proud and thankful for each AmeriCorps member and each AmeriCorps program in Nevada.

Some of you might be wondering, what is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is a national service program that provides Americans of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds with unique opportunities to offer intensive full and part-time service in their communities.

What do AmeriCorps members exactly do?
AmeriCorps members help grassroots organizations to meet education, environmental, public safety and other human needs. AmeriCorps members gain new skills and experiences — and find the satisfaction that comes from helping others.

In addition, full-time members (1700 hours) who complete their service earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,350 to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans; members who serve part-time receive a partial award. Some AmeriCorps members may also receive a modest living allowance during their term of service. (more…)

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