|
Spotlight: Jazz Trammell, mental health leader
Jazz Trammell is a fourth-term member of AmeriCorps who is currently serving with Gem State Public Health AmeriCorps as a mental health leader.
In her second service term, Trammell served as a mental health leader and oversaw a team of four to seven mental health coordinators. Suicide prevention and mental health are heavy issues, so Trammell ensured the team felt supported by planning fun team activities like rock climbing, painting or holiday parties.
In her third service term, Trammell served through the summer with Gem State Public Health AmeriCorps. Her service focused on helping foster kids with trauma, mental health and suicidal ideation.
Trammell is currently serving in her fourth term through Gem State Public Health AmeriCorps at the South East Idaho Behavioral Crisis Center.
Trammell’s service has involved crisis support and teaching the community about issues she has struggled with herself. She has lived experience with suicidal ideation, so she knows how it feels to talk to someone who really understands and cares, and that people won’t talk to her unless they know she is actively listening to them.
Trammell is especially proud of her time as a Question Persuade Refer suicide prevention training lead because the role shows people it’s okay to talk about mental health and suicide.
|
|
|
AmeriCorps VISTA turns 60
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy launched the War on Poverty with the words, “In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course.”
While President Kennedy never saw his initiative materialize, his successor, President Lyndon Johnson, followed his lead and ushered through Congress the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which created a domestic volunteer program to engage Americans in the fight.
This year, AmeriCorps and Serve Idaho recognize and celebrate 60 years of the power and impact of the AmeriCorps VISTA program. The organizations also celebrate the members who have served and continue to serve their communities.
Idaho AmeriCorps VISTA programs and members:
|
|
|
Coeur d’Alene Economic Development Corporation works to build a healthy economy for the region by strengthening the base, diversifying the economy, supporting the creation of new jobs and advancing workforce development. The corporation works with local, regional and state economic partners, as well as existing businesses and industries to facilitate business retention, expansion and attraction.
 |
|
Bud Sbicca serves as the talent pipeline management and housing VISTA. Sbicca is focused on creating and enhancing workforce collaboratives to identify reskilling/upskilling training programs and find workforce solutions. |
|
|
Idaho Smart Growth brings people together to create great places to live. The organization works with partners and individuals to build communities that are healthy, safe and resilient. |
|
 |
|
Tom Alvarez serves as the development and strategic planning VISTA. Alvarez is focused on developing a marketing and communications strategic plan for the organization. |
|
|
 |
|
Joy Parson serves as the affordable housing moonshot coordinator VISTA. Parson's service is focused on developing a community engagement plan and a statewide housing affordability strategic plan. |
|
|
|
Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce delivers wrap-around services and a navigation network hub for veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families. The chamber also provides community resources for education, housing, entrepreneurship, workforce management, family and wellness services.
- The VISTA housing navigation specialist (currently recruiting), will focus on veteran projects including a tiny home project and a home repair program.
St. Vincent de Paul is inspired by gospel values, working to prevent homelessness by providing fundamental human needs and help to Idahoans.
 |
|
Savannah Slater serves as the VISTA reentry operation specialist. Slater is focused on developing a comprehensive resource system for the organization’s reentry program. She also helps the organization identify and partner with Treasure Valley employers. |
|
|
New data on volunteering and civic life in America
|
|
|
Every two years, AmeriCorps partners with the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct the Current Population Survey Civic Engagement and Volunteering Supplement, the most robust survey about civic engagement across the country and over time.
The most recent survey shows the national formal volunteering rate increased 5.1 percentage points between 2022 and 2023, representing a growth rate of more than 22% in just two years — the largest expansion of formal volunteering ever recorded.
This new research also examines volunteerism and civic engagement in Idaho, finding:
-
34.4% of residents formally volunteered through an organization.
-
56.8% of residents donated $25 or more to charity.
-
534,478 formal volunteers contributed 48,866,116 hours of service through organizations.
Serve Idaho AmeriCorps Conference
 The 2025 Serve Idaho AmeriCorps Conference was held Feb. 19 and 20 at the Riverside Hotel in Boise. The event brought together over 160 AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps alums, AmeriCorps program staff, Serve Idaho Commissioners and community partners.
The conference included a keynote speech from Morgan McCaleb and closing speech from Shari Barber. Attendees participated in workshop sessions such as "Empowering Teams with Conflict Tools" and participated in service projects like cleaning the Boise River and Greenbelt.
Mark your calendars for next year’s conference March 3 and 4 at the Riverside Hotel. In addition to attending, there are opportunities to present, serve as a sponsor and host an exhibition table.
For more info, contact Micaela.deloyola-carkin@labor.idaho.gov.
|
|
AmeriCorps alum walk-a-thon
Serve Idaho and Idaho AmeriCorps alums are organizing a walk-a-thon along the Boise Greenbelt, May 4. Register to walk with other Idaho AmeriCorps alums.
We are also organizing physical walks across the state. If you are interested in helping organize a walk in your city or region, please reach out to Micaela.deloyola-carkin@labor.idaho.gov.
If you are unable to join a walk, consider joining the AmeriCorps virtual walk-a-thon.
If you need an extra push to get out in 2025, we’re challenging you to volunteer in your community for one hour for every mile you walk. Track your miles, continue your lifetime of service, and help strengthen communities one step at a time.
|
|
Idaho AmeriCorps Alum Network
Serve Idaho is looking to foster greater connections between AmeriCorps alums in the state to promote professional development opportunities, collaboration for the good of our communities and strong social ties within our national service community.
Listed below are a few ways you can get involved:
|
|
|
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 $7,722,927 (79%) of the program is financed through federal funds, and $2,051,059 (21%) is funded through local support.
      
Contact us | Manage preferences
This email was sent by Idaho Department of Labor from 317 West Main Street, Boise, ID, 83735, United States
|
|
|
|
|
