May 2026
Juneteenth, a federally recognized holiday since 2021, marks the event that took place on June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and enforced the Executive Order known as the Emancipation Proclamation – which had been made official by President Lincoln 2 ½ years earlier, freeing enslaved peoples. Implementation of the Proclamation was limited in areas under Confederate control, delaying freedom for many. As such, Juneteenth is widely thought of as our nation’s second Independence Day.
To learn more, start with the National Museum of African American History & Culture
and Juneteenth.com.
We highly encourage celebrating Juneteenth as a Day of Service, creating an opportunity for your local community to come together. If your site will be hosting a volunteer/service project event, let us know and we'll share it on our Days of Service page.
We are now accepting Intent to Continue and new-project applications to host members in the Washington Reading Corps next program year! Site staff: details about submitting an Intent to Continue were shared via email last week; if you didn't see it come through, please reach out to your WRC Coordinator.
Know an organization or school that could use the heart and talent of WRC members? Please share this news with them! We have a brand new checklist and video to help applicants submit an application.
 Member Evaluations Due May 31
Site staff, your member's second performance evaluation is due by May 31 (for members who started in February, this is their first evaluation). While this is a review and progress check-up, use this opportunity to also plan professional development activities for the rest of their term - such as job shadowing, networking with fellow professionals in your field, etc.
It's also critical for you and your member to check on how many hours they've accumulated to date for their service term, so that if they're behind, you can help them plan out additional alternative service activities to make up some hours before it's too late. Review our video on how to check hours in TimeTracker.
 Support When You Need It
We know that managing life and the service term experience isn't always easy. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we want to remind our members about the benefits available to you and your household through the Member Assistance Program (MAP). MAP provides free, professional 24/7 mental wellness support from Masters' level counselors in dealing with stress, anxiety, and service/life balance. In addition to connecting by phone, face-to-face sessions are available.
MAP can also help with navigating life transitions, financial counseling (e.g. debt management), and so much more!
For more details, check out the MAP webinar and our website for how to connect to their live support and on-demand resources.
Due June 15
 |
|
Heads up!
Members, your next quarterly story of service is due by June 15; narratives and photos can be submitted in TimeTracker.
Site staff, this quarter's project report will be due by June 15. Watch for an email when the form is available in America Learns.
|
 Alternative Ways to Use the Segal Education Award
Did you know there are many unique ways to use your ed award? Here are a few that focus on experiential learning:
You can also use your award for international travel. Learn more about this opportunity through HQ Travel!
Members, mark your calendars for the next sessions in our Life After AmeriCorps training series. Look for an email from our training specialist, Bryce Bateman, with the links to join via Microsoft Teams.
May 7 1:00-2:30 p.m. | Interview Skills and Cover Letters
May 21 1:00-2:30 p.m. | Using the Segal Education Award
|
