Annual Report

Hello everyone, has many of you may know I am currently serving as an AmeriCorps member at the Genesee County Youth Bureau. The office recently published their annual report; here are some sections from it dealing with AmeriCorps and me as while. To read the full report should be up on the website any day now, click here to check the site.

Program Overview:

AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Corporation’s mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. Other Corporation programs include Senior Corps and Learn & Serve America. Throughout the country, Americans of all backgrounds are engaged in service to meet community needs. Genesee County AmeriCorps members bring this dedication and commitment to our area.

Forty-five members served at a variety of host site agencies in 2010. Assignments fall under the categories of youth development/mentoring, volunteer recruitment and public safety/community outreach. Members agree to complete 900, 675, 450 or 300 service hours over a specific time period that cannot exceed one year. In return, they earn a modest living allowance, and at the end of their term of service are eligible to receive an education award. The education award can be used for college costs or to repay qualified student loans.

Several new rules to implement provisions of the Serve America Act were finalized in 2010. Members can now earn up to the equivalent of two full-time education awards and complete a maximum of four part-time terms. Previously, members were limited to two terms of any type. Another change will adjust the education award annually. The award for a full-time member is now equal to the maximum Federal Pell grant. Part time awards are pro-rated down from that amount. Procedures were also established to allow members who are age 55 or older when they serve to transfer their education award to a child or grandchild. Prior to this only the member could use the award. (Just a side note the House did pass a resolution that would have eliminated funding for the Corporation and all its funded programs however it was not passed by the Senate. If service is important to you please speak out as we start the budget process!!!!)

From Director’s Notes:

We ourselves were one of the first agencies to benefit from the new AmeriCorps rules that allowed for more than two terms in the program. Vicky came back to us in the fall and picked up right where she left off. She has accepted more responsibility and has taken the lead on much of the training initiatives for the AmeriCorps Program. She continues the use of the social networking communication tools initiated by Lauren.

Program Highlights

Several American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA) members continued to serve in 2010. Greg Briggs, who served at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services, collaborated with the Genesee County Parks Department to organize a successful Earth Day project to benefit DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia. On April 24 over 400 trees & bushes of 10 varieties were planted. They will help prevent erosion, improve wildlife habitats, and increase the aesthetic value of the recreation area. Additionally, 10 bird boxes and 5 bat boxes were painted and installed. These will increase the presence of wildlife in the park, and the bats will help reduce the mosquito population. Finally, invasive phragmites were removed and burned. If not controlled, phragmites take over space needed for native plant species. A total of 62 volunteers devoted 284 hours of service to this project. (Including Me, I was in charge of the youth volunteers helping them plant trees and paint bird and bat boxes)

Members participated in a variety of activities during National AmeriCorps Week. On May 12 the Genesee County Legislature issued a proclamation honoring AmeriCorps. Members created display boards highlighting their projects and hosted a reception prior to the meeting. Legislators and other guests had the opportunity to learn about the great things our members were doing. The displays were exhibited at host site agencies throughout the week. On May 14, several members helped serve the meal at the annual RSVP volunteer recognition luncheon. Since RSVP was celebrating its 2 5 t h anniversary, AmeriCorps members and ninety youth at different host sites decorated boxes that were used as favors at the luncheon.

Our members are encouraged to design and execute community service projects at their host sites. Members are given ideas for activities in which the youth can participate and develop a commitment to service. For example, the 120 youth at Camp Wyomoco created greeting cards to send to military personnel serving overseas. At two other sites, Camp Bristol Hills and the LeRoy Christian Community Project, a total of 130 youth made pictures to donate to “Color a Smile”, an organization that delivers artwork to nursing homes and Meals on Wheels programs. It was good to see young people come together to do something to show their appreciation for those serving by brightening someone’s day.

In November a group of members and staff traveled to Albany to attend the New York State AmeriCorps kickoff event. Although it was a long day, it was very inspiring and informative. Members had a chance to get to know each other during the eight hours we spent en transit as well as meet others who are serving at programs across the state. Members also heard from an amazing keynote speaker, La-Verna J. Fountain. Everyone left energized and eager to return home and begin making a difference.

The service of our members has enhanced the ability of organizations to provide caring relationships for young people, helped agencies recruit both youth and adult volunteers and allowed sites to either expand programming or add new services. AmeriCorps not only benefits our community, it provides members with a great opportunity to gain new skills explore career options and finance their education. Use the contact information on the back of this report to inquire further about becoming a host site or a member of the Genesee County AmeriCorps program. You can learn more about AmeriCorps in general or other national service opportunities by visiting www.nationalservice.gov.