From Public Allies Connecticut to Community Health Corps to Peace Corps and more - thank you to all who joined us on August 26th at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station for our 2015 Annual Meeting!
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| Chapter Leader Tina Lindstrom, AmeriCorps NCCC |
We were fortunate to be joined by Anne Ostberg, the Connecticut state director of the Corporation for National and Community Service and one of our chapter’s biggest supporters, who shared the impact national service has had on our state. In the past year CNCS committed over $10 million in funding, leveraging an additional $3 million from local sources. These funds enabled 750 AmeriCorps members and over 1,300 Senior Corps volunteers to serve our communities most important needs - from healthcare to education to caring for older adults with no one else to turn to.
The evening was also a chance to reflect on what AmeriCorps Alums was able to get done in Connecticut from 2014-2015. This past year our focus was to create more connections and offer more resources to AmeriCorps Alums.
- Last November at our first-ever networking social with Brandeis University we welcomed over 30 people to learn about the amazing scholarship opportunities available to AmeriCorps alums pursuing graduate studies with the Heller School of Social Policy and Management.
- At our annual Crazy Sweater Party (with a Purpose), we raised close to $150 in cash and collected three 30-gallon sized bags full of in-kind donations for the families served by IRIS - Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services.
- The InterCorps Council of Connecticut grew into a thriving and very-active board, hosting almost monthly events and fostering partnerships with CTYP and others throughout the state.
- In July we were fortunate to be a part of Connecticut’s VISTA 50th celebrations in Hartford, leveraging our partnership with Cabot Creamery to provide dinner to the over 100 alums, members, and community partners who attended.
Finally, we also announced our Champions of Service for 2015.
ABOVE AND BEYOND MEMBER
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| Alum Champion Ericus Adams shares her story. |
Jody Kelly, AARP Experience Corps
ALUM CHAMPION
Mayor Toni Harp, City of New Haven
Ericus Adams, Green Crew
COMMUNITY CONNECTOR
Connecticut Campus Compact
AMERICORPS ADVOCATE
Sen. Christopher Murphy
It was especially moving to hear from our alum champion Ericus Adams who first started as a Green Crew member at Knox Parks in Hartford and now not only runs the program but is also a member of the Connecticut Commission on Community Service and a true mentor for others throughout the state.
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| VISTA, Public Allies, Community Health Corps, Peace Corps and more came together to celebrate national service in CT. |
Looking forward to the future our goal is to increase our level of engagement with alums in the state, reaching out to those who served many years ago and may not even know we exist. We also plan on continuing our efforts to connect alums and the broader national service community in Connecticut through service, professional development, and advocacy efforts. If you’d like to get more involved, please reach out to us at connecticut@americorpsalums.org.
Special thanks to the sponsors who helped make the evening such a success: Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Claire’s Corner Copia, Insomnia Cookies, and Staples. We’d also like to thank our generous raffle sponsors: Wood N Tap, Caseus Fromagerie, Barcelona Wine Bar, Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Message by Massage, Woodside Massage, Fresh Yoga, and Gouveia Vineyards.
