North Central Spotlight: Supporting Black Hills Works

AmeriCorps NCCC team Cedar 6 is in Rapid City, South Dakota serving with Black Hills Works, an organization that provides support to more than 600 adults with disabilities. The team, who serves alongside staff and volunteers as community partners, enhances support to the individuals at Black Hills Works through activities focused on sensory development, art enrichment, and social & recreational activities, like Special Olympics and volunteering in the community.

Corps member Savannah Henry reflects, “Our service in Rapid City fights to bring every individual in the community together.” Corps member Mariah Johnston agrees, “We are teaching individuals how to be a part of society. We teach classes that can help them in daily life so that one day they can not only be citizens of Rapid City, but also be community members.” The team’s focus is reintegration. Staff, volunteers, and NCCC members ensure the people at Black Hills Works have enough support to live independently, succeed professionally, and build relationships with their peers and the greater community. The community in turn benefits from increased awareness and understanding of people with disabilities, plus achieves a richer, more diverse work force, and local economy.

For more about the North Central Region and other projects, visit the AmeriCorps NCCC Tumblr!

Alum Spotlight:
Efrain Chip Lopez

AmeriCorps NCCC members spend 10 months in service to America. This work helps to rebuild communities and improve the lives of fellow citizens. After their service, our Corps members have valuable skills that help them in the next stage of their lives, whether that is working or continuing their education. For Efrain Chip Lopez, AmeriCorps was more than just a way to serve his country -- it opened up the door to a career.

Watch as Chip talks about how his AmeriCorps NCCC service helped him land a job as he gives a tour of his facility to current Corps members.