Mar 14, 2017

Let Us Serve: Resources

AmeriCorps and Senior Corps have enjoyed bi-partisan support, including the support of almost every president, since they were first launched in the mid-1960s. The current administration has been unclear on whether that history of support will continue - which is why we need to prepare to speak honestly, clearly, and quickly about the impact and support of national service in Connecticut and across the country.

Here are some resources to share and help you prepare your own call for support of national service:
...and here are some recent articles to get you thinking:

SOURCE: nationalservice.gov

Important Reminder: AmeriCorps Alums Connecticut has no direct affiliation and receives no funding from the Corporation from National and Community Service or other federal source. All opinions and links are offered in good faith with the intent to help. 

Let Us Serve: Sample Wording

Let Us Service - serviceyear.org
Service Year Alliance is helping to lead the charge for AmeriCorps advocacy.
Ready to take a stand for service, but not share where to start? Connecticut is fortunate to have extremely supportive representatives on a national level, but we still need to prepare them with real-world stories (and convince some of our local-level politicians that #AmeriCorpsWorks).

On March 7th, we were joined by Service Year Alliance's Laura Thompson, who shared a sneak peak of their storytelling training: "Public Narrative: The Story of Self, Us, Now."

For those who couldn't join us (and are unable to join Service Year for the full Action Summit taking place in Washington, DC at the end of March - details here: https://goo.gl/cZ5TK9), here is the cliffs notes version!
  1.  Self: What is YOUR national service story? Did it give you hope and guidance after struggling in high school or college? Were you able to help a student go from avoiding eye contact with teachers to giving everyone smiles and high fives? Did you help create a program that connected veterans with jobs? Share it here!
  2. Us: How does your story relate to the larger values and experience of the American people? A 2015 poll found that 83% of Americans support national service, so you are not alone. Don't overload your letter with facts, use those that speak most directly to your own experience and will be easy for your representatives to remember and share. We've gathered some resources HERE to get you started.
  3. Now: Why is the time NOW to support national service? As many have said, we think it's because national service is a unique American tradition that has the ability to pull together a divided nation. Why do you think it's important?
...
SAMPLE WORDING

Greetings, Senator XXX:

My name is Shannon, and I am writing to urge you to continue to support funding for AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs. Like many young adults, I was adrift and deep in debt after finishing college. 

My year serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA not only gave me hope; it gave me direction and a life-long commitment to helping others. I am not alone - studies have shown that 60% of AmeriCorps alumni enter public service or work at a non-profit. 

My AmeriCorps service also connected me to the rich and uniquely-American tradition that puts service to our fellow citizens as our paramount responsibilities. With 83% of Americans in support of national service (and 62 million people volunteering each year), now is the time to support these programs to help pull together our fractured nation.

All the best,
Shannon Mykins
New Haven, Connecticut

Important Reminder: AmeriCorps Alums Connecticut has no direct affiliation and receives no funding from the Corporation from National and Community Service or other federal source. All opinions and links are offered in good faith with the intent to help. 

Mar 4, 2017

AmeriCorps Week 2017 is Here!

There is a lot to celebrate this year - more than 650 AmeriCorps members are currently serving and thousands more AmeriCorps Alums live and work here.

We hope to see and hear from you this week - if you can't make it to one of our events, please reach out via FacebookTwitter, or email us to share your story and get connected.

UPDATED 3/8/2017

Advocacy and Professional Development
Tuesday, March 7th, Carriage House Theater (Hartford)
Presented by Northeast Regional Field Director at Service Year Alliance, Laura Thompson, "Public Narrative: The Story of Self, Us, Now," will teach you the basics of how public narrative works, review the criteria for effective story of self, and allow you to practice your own story of self (and coach others).

Attendees will also have the opportunity to put their stories on paper to write to our representatives - sharing the AmeriCorps story and reiterating the importance of continued funding.

Note for currently serving members: you are welcome to attend, however we ask that you exclude yourself from the advocacy portion of the event and talk to your program's manager or director if you have any questions.


Celebrate
Wednesday, March 8th, BAR (New Haven)
We are partnering with PAVE New Haven, who are hosting an AmeriCorps Gathering. All are welcome to join - please invite your friends! RSVP on Facebook or join us any time after 5:30.

Service
Sunday, March 12th, Homes for the Braves
Join us as we prepare dinner for veterans at Homes for the Brave in honor of AmeriCorps Week! This is a great opportunity to connect with other alums and current members while cooking, and serve and connect with veterans at Homes for the Brave and Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes.

Please find more details and RSVP here or on Facebook so we know you're coming!
Made in AmeriCorps Logo

Do you have an AmeriCorps Week event you'd like to share? Please email our communications leader Shannon at slmykins (@) gmail.com with details and we will add it to the list!