February 2026
 Join us in honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of Betty Reid Soskin during Black History Month. Soskin was the oldest active National Park Service Ranger: she began her work with the agency at age 84 and continued until her retirement in 2022 at the age of 101.
Soskin’s career as a park ranger began through a grant project that focused on uncovering and preserving stories of Black Americans’ contributions to the U.S. war effort.
At 85, Soskin became a full-time ranger at Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park. She championed stories of women from diverse backgrounds whose labor powered the civilian war effort. Her voice and vision helped reshape how we understand our shared history.
Soskin’s work also aligns our environmental stewardship focus area, as she helped protect and elevate the cultural and natural resources within our national parks.
Learn more about this pioneering woman by visiting: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/betty-reid-soskin.htm
Get to know more African-American environmental heroes!
Angelou Ezeilo is a social entrepreneur who started the Greening Youth Foundation to connect under-represented youth to nature and careers in conservation.
Dr. Warren Washington developed an atmospheric computer model in the 1960s to help scientists understand climate change. He and his colleagues received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Robert Bullard began exposing the disproportionate exposure to pollution experienced by descendants of slaves in the 1970s.
Solomon Brown was a self-taught naturalist and the first African-American employee of the Smithsonian where he became well known for his illustrated lectures.
Lisa Jackson was the first African-American to lead the Environmental Protection Agency where she expanded the agency’s work to engage communities in decision-making.
Dr. Tyrone Hayes is a university professor whose research discovered a connection between weed killers and a decrease in frog fertility. This led to increased regulations to protect drinking water.
Looking ahead to our 2026-27 program year, we anticipate posting our Intent to Continue application (for eligible sites currently hosting WSC or WRC members) and Request for Applications near the end of February.
Site staff, please keep an eye out for an email from us in the coming weeks with more information.
March Lunch & Learn
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Site staff, our next monthly Lunch & Learn will be on March 4 - join us as we review best practices in supporting your member at this stage of their term, which for many will be the last leg of their service journey this year.
Click here to join us live on March 4 at 11:30 a.m.
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 Cesar Chavez Day of Service
Mark your calendars: March 31 is Cesar Chavez Day of Service, commemorating Cesar's leadership and advocacy for worker rights, economic justice and empowerment of the poor and disenfranchised.
If you'll be hosting an event for this Day of Service, share it with us by
submitting a Day of Service form. We’ll begin posting your projects in early March on our Cesar Chavez Day of Service page.
 New Video Series
We’re launching a new video series to help folks get to know WSC and AmeriCorps! These short videos are designed for prospective sites and members. Our first video, “Get to Know Washington Service Corps”, is available now on YouTube. Feel free to share out, especially with anyone looking to gain a unique, hands-on experience!
 We Love Your Stories!
Members, we want to share our heartfelt appreciation for all that you’ve contributed this term and for the wonderful stories of service you’ve submitted. It’s inspiring to read about the many ways you’re supporting your communities and making a meaningful impact (and we can't wait to read your next story, due by March 15). Thank you for everything you do!
This month, we’re highlighting a story of service from Ayisah A., who serves with Asian Counseling & Referral Service as their Citizenship Aide.
"My name is Ayisah, and I am an AmeriCorps member serving with Asian Counseling and Referral Service in Seattle through the Washington Service Corps. More specifically, in the Citizenship Department, where I assist immigrants and refugees with their naturalization applications, conduct client intakes, and support English language learners in citizenship classes. A highlight of my year of service thus far has been the one-on-one interactions I have with clients and community members every day.
In addition to helping clients with their naturalization applications and paperwork, I have met with them and hosted mock interviews to better prepare them for their upcoming naturalization interviews. Though these mock interviews follow a script to better mirror what it will be like on the day of the real thing, these interviews also offer an opportunity for clients to share stories with me and express their worries and excitement about the tasks ahead. It is these moments where I get to know the diverse backgrounds of my community and learn more about the people that I am serving.
For example, over the past few weeks, I have been working with one client on honing their English writing skills. During our meetings, they often tell me about their home country and express their enjoyment in learning about American history. Hearing stories not only helps me tailor materials for their interests, but it also makes me appreciate the intercultural community that I am a part of even more. These opportunities to listen to clients and community members inform how I approach every new day of service, and it is these moments of connection that I continue to look forward to for the rest of the year."
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