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Spotlight: Joyce Sundequist, reading corps tutor
Joyce graduated from Superior Western College with a degree in business administration. Her career included work in aviation at the Federal Aviation Administration and network administration for Safari Hospitality and Interstate Hotels. After caring for her parents in their later years, Joyce decided to move to Jerome to be closer to her kids; however, she wasn’t ready to fully retire and began looking for more opportunities. This led her to pursue an AmeriCorps position serving as a reading corps tutor at a elementary school. Having spent years volunteering at her children’s school, Joyce recalled those times as being “some of the happiest and most rewarding of her life.” For Joyce, working with students has been both enjoyable and incredibly rewarding to see their progress and growth.
As a reading corps tutor at Horizon Elementary School, she works with K-3 students, helping them to improve their reading skills. Joyce believes, “the immediate reward of working with the students is seeing the look in their eyes when they realize they can sound out a word, know all the letter sounds or read their first story all by themselves.” She feels that helping students learn to read goes beyond just the immediate impact, as it enables them to achieve goals now that will benefit them in their futures. Joyce sees her tutoring as an opportunity to support them with their future education endeavors, lives and career goals. Achieving educational goals will assist them throughout their lives; from graduating high school and getting a good job, to becoming a part of and serving their communities in positive ways.
There isn’t a specific success story or triumph that defines Joyce’s service, but rather a collection of little successes. Specifically:
- One teacher stated that the students Joyce tutors have brought up their test scores due to her one-on-one tutoring.
- Another teacher told her that one of her students has progressed so much they are going to test him for gifted and talented.
- A kindergarten student, who only knew two letter sounds when entering the program, is leaving the program because they have met the target goals for their grade.
- A first grader, who couldn’t read a word when starting the program, read his first sentence and realized that he was really reading.
“The smile of pride on the student's face is priceless to me. Inevitable success is the children advancing their reading skills. The true success of my service and the program is building up their confidence and desire to learn and challenge themselves.”
Learn more about Ampact: Reading Corps and find an opportunity to serve.
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Serve Idaho update: Renee Bade
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After 10 years serving as the executive director for Serve Idaho, Renee Bade has accepted a new position with the Idaho Department of Labor overseeing the workforce development initiative and apprenticeship programs. Renee’s leadership has been instrumental in developing Serve Idaho’s goals and strategic initiatives to advance service and volunteerism throughout the state of Idaho. Throughout her tenure she has developed partnerships, served as a connector for organizations to resources, expanded national service in Idaho and served as a thoughtful and talented leader. |
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City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park, interpretation and education specialist
Seeking an applicant, for a three-month/450-hour AmeriCorps position, who loves the outdoors and is passionate about creating, implementing and leading interpretive programs in-person or virtually, as well as updating and creating interpretive materials for the parks. Benefits include a living stipend of $5,564, money for school in the amount of $1,824 and an onsite VIP campground with a shower, laundry, microwave and refrigerator.
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4-H Extension Positive Youth Development, Teton County extension
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Idaho 4-H Positive Youth Development AmeriCorps members teach, lead and facilitate youth development curriculum in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) out-of-school programs. Activities include facilitating family engagement events, serving as mentors and role models, teaching important life skills and giving youth positive opportunities to explore the world around them in a fun, engaging, non-formal learning environment.
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Young Americans’ attitudes toward service
Our Common Purpose recommends establishing a universal expectation of a year of national service. To advance this recommendation, the American Academy of Arts and Science partnered with America’s Service Commissions and California Volunteers to develop a data-driven approach to engaging more young Americans in service. While the underlying value of service for the country is considered important, the more compelling reasons for participating are the tangible benefits of service, including earning money for college, developing workplace skills, building professional networks and helping one’s own community.
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Serve Idaho AmeriCorps Conference and AmeriCorps week recap
 The Serve Idaho AmeriCorps Conference was held March 11 and 12 in Boise, bringing together over 135 AmeriCorps members, alums and staff for professional development workshops, networking and more. The conference opened with Salome Mwangi’s keynote presentation on Sharing Treasure; how examining and leaning into one’s own culture and values while serving others can help in appreciating diverse cultures they serve and support.
Attendees were able to choose from a variety of workshops offered on the first day including:
- Leadership as stewardship.
- Observing to learn: Improving outcomes with human-centered design thinking.
- Kindness draws large circles of inclusion.
- Leveraging differences to serve effectively.
- How to sell your AmeriCorps experience to employers and colleges.
The second day opened with a coach-mentor training provided by the U.S. Soccer Foundation based on a mentoring framework built around creating lasting, positive connections that positively impact youth. All attendees then chose to participate in one of three service projects.
- Project Linus – made fleece blankets for older kids and teens who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need of a new handmade blanket.
- Ronald McDonald House – put together personal hygiene kits for families.
- Boise River and Greenbelt Cleanup – worked in teams to clean up trash and debris along the greenbelt and riverbank.
The conference wrapped up with the closing keynote from Serve Idaho commissioner Amy Ridenour Little on adversity and resilience focused on the seven C's of resilience: control, competence, confidence, connection, character, coping and contribution.
Additionally, the conference took place during AmeriCorps Week. Governor Little signed a proclamation for AmeriCorps Week that was read at the conference, and both Senator Crapo and Garden City Mayor Evans recorded videos recognizing and honoring AmeriCorps members’ service. There were two presenters, University of Idaho Career Counselor Eric Anderson and Capital High School and Garfield Elementary Social Worker Jana Mansfield, who are AmeriCorps alums, and another presenter, Consultant Mike Krause, who is a Peace Corps alum. It’s always great for members to see the successes and careers of national service alums.
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Volunteer opportunity
Idaho State University received a 9/11 National Day of Service Grant to organize community service projects. They are looking for AmeriCorps alums and community volunteers to help with upcoming service projects in Boise, Pocatello and northern Idaho. View events and volunteer activities here or visit their website. Reach out to serviceday@isu.edu if you are interested or have any questions.
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Service Year Alums Awards
Service Year is committed to sharing the perspectives and experiences of these alums to demonstrate the power of a service year. More than anyone, alums can share the impact of service — on their own lives, in the communities in which they serve and for our country. That’s why they’ve established the first ever Service Year Alums Awards to showcase the ways in which service years help bridge divides across lines of difference, and inspire future generations of service year members.
Embrace the opportunity to reflect on your service journey, share your experiences of bridging divides across lines of difference and celebrate your commitment to service. Apply by Friday, May 31 for the Service Year Alums Awards. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to jhenry@serviceyear.org.
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The Idaho Department of Labor is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request. Dial 711 for Idaho Relay Service.
Serve Idaho is supported by AmeriCorps. A total of $4,519,228, or 61%, of the program is financed through federal funds, and $2,893,430, or 39%, is funded through local support.
      
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This email was sent by Idaho Department of Labor from 317 West Main Street, Boise, ID, 83735, United States
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