Idaho volunteer finds home for her expertise through AmeriCorps
Karen Swenson dedicated 30 years of her life to education.
When she retired and moved back to Idaho to help care for her parents, she knew there was something else she wanted to do, she just wasn’t sure what.
She was supporting her family and playing grandma. Then, she saw an advertisement to become an AmeriCorps member.
“I applied and here I am,” Swenson said, with a smile.
Now, she’s utilizing her expertise as a teacher, counselor and administrator to work at Southwest District Health in Caldwell. Plus, she’s using her passion for mental health to educate seniors about the resources available for those who are either struggling themselves or have a family member in need of mental health care.
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AmeriCorps service opportunities
AmeriCorps NCCC is excited to announce that "Summer of Service" is returning. This shorter summer session returns with projects focused on climate mitigation, affordable housing and service opportunities in areas of greatest need.
Deploy to Aurora, Colorado, or Vinton, Iowa, for three months of training and service. Program benefits include food, lodging, a modest living allowance, uniforms and program-related travel expenses all covered by AmeriCorps NCCC. In addition, members will receive a post-service education award. Apply by March 31, 2024.
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Interpretation & Education Specialist
The City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park are looking for an AmeriCorps member who loves the outdoors and is passionate about creating and leading interpretive programs in person or virtually, as well as updating and creating interpretive materials for the parks. Learn more about this opportunity.
Benny’s HealthCorps
Benny's HealthCorps is open to all students in any college/university in Idaho who need clinical, patient exposure, practicum or volunteer hours. Students can sign up for a 450-hr contract, incorporating clinical and practicum hours, to receive an education award.
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Martin Luther King Jr. AmeriCorps service projects
- AmeriCorps member Karen organized a coat drive and collected over 60 coats, sweaters and hoodies, along with 35 hats.
- Serve Idaho and AmeriCorps members attended Idaho Human Rights Day at the capitol, encouraged participants to make cards for veterans and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho and pledged to do an act of kindness or service.
- 4-H Extension staff, Serve Idaho staff and AmeriCorps members volunteered at the Idaho Foodbank packing food boxes for seniors.
- AmeriCorps members Alexandra and Jasper volunteered at the Moscow Humane Society.
- AmeriCorps members Dorian, Allison, Kalli and Erica volunteered at the Overland Foodbank.
- 4-H Extension member Tyra held an Astro Camp, where kids wrote letters to astronauts.
- You can still pledge to perform an act of kindness or service. A few ideas:
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AmeriCorps in the news
Grant to help University of Idaho Extension promote ag science skills, careers
University of Idaho Extension 4-H Youth Development has received a grant to teach children about agricultural science and technology and introduce them to career opportunities in the field. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded $750,000 toward the three-year project, which aims to reach 2,000 to 4,000 youth per year during out-of-school time through 4-H clubs, camps, after-school activities and special programs.
The project will partner with AmeriCorps to provide training to the federally supported program’s volunteers, enabling them to deliver agricultural STEM curriculum wherever they’re placed in Idaho.
Foster Grandparents help kids and more
The Foster Grandparents Program allows senior community members to assist in education in Idaho classrooms. Many retirees and senior citizens who are 55+ connect as volunteers with children in a mentoring and tutoring relationship.
Volunteers may serve in Ada, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee and Boise counties in Idaho. Many Foster Grandparents serve in schools near their homes and become the school grandparents for years to come.
American Climate Corps
In January, the White House launched a series of virtual listening sessions as part of its new American Climate Corps initiative. Hear directly from prospective American Climate Corps applicants and implementing partners, including conservation and service corps partners, labor unions, educational institutions, employer partners, and state, local and tribal governments about their priorities. Each listening session will last roughly 90 minutes and will provide participants with the opportunity to engage directly with administration officials who are overseeing the initiative, as the Biden-Harris Administration works to establish the first cohort of American Climate Corps members by next summer.
Serve Colorado urges anyone who may be interested in listening to take advantage of this awesome opportunity!
Alum corner
2024 Serve Idaho AmeriCorps Conference
AmeriCorps alums are invited to attend the Serve Idaho AmeriCorps Conference in Boise, ID. The event is March 11 and 12 at the Riverside Hotel. |
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A limited number of scholarships are available for AmeriCorps alums.
Day one: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Opening keynote: Salome Mwangi
Workshops block one:
- Leadership as Stewardship: Nurturing Communities and AmeriCorps Heritage – Mike Krause
- Human Ties: Conversations that Matter – Johanna Bringhurst and David Pettyjohn
- Observing to Learn: Improving Outcomes with Human-Centered Design Thinking – Eve Lacivita
Workshops block two:
- Advice from a Toddler – Heather A. Erickson
- One Kind Act a Day: The Power of Kindness in Everyday Life – Curtis Bennett
- Community Resilience Model – Jana Mansfield and Amy Rust
Workshops block three:
- Leveraging Differences to Serve Effectively – David and Ashley Nichols
- How to Sell Your AmeriCorps Experience to Employers and Colleges – Eric Anderson
Day two: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Plenary – The Coach-Mentor Blueprint – U.S. Soccer Foundation
- Service project – Project Linus or Greenbelt Cleanup
- Closing keynote – Amy Ridenour Little
Video submissions
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Calling all AmeriCorps members, alums, commission members and program staff! We'd love to share your service story at the 2024 America's Service Commissions (ASC) National Service Training. We're asking to hear from current AmeriCorps members on why they serve and from alums and staff about how they've built a life and/or a career of service.
Submit your video by March 15.
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