Americorps week Spotlight - Ty Williams

As part of AmeriCorps Week 2012, each day we’ve been spotlighting a service member or alum across the state, this week’s final spotlight is on Ty Williams.

Ty served with the L.E.A.P. program in Bridgeport and Public Allies CT. He was a senior youth counselor with L.E.A.P. and did an internship at Bridgeport Community Health as a Community Outreach worker. He also was an Assistant Case Manager for the Juvenile Review Board. “I liked the type of work that was being done in the community and I knew friends who were in the program and I saw the growth development personal and professional life,” Ty says. “My biggest accomplishment was completing the program, forming a lot of relationships with those I served, and served with in my community and how it continues to develop for me even after 3-4 years.” Ty says what he learned about himself and his community is priceless, and currently he’s involved in his community. He keeps busy mentoring youth, working with families to help their children get on the right track, performing community service projects and community organizing.

Way to go Ty – glad to hear about your service and thanks for everything you do for our communities!

Keep up the great work AmeriCorps Alums members across the state - and Happy AmeriCorps week!!

AmeriCorps Week Spotlight - Sharaya Smith

As part of AmeriCorps Week 2012, each day we’ll be spotlighting a service member or alum across the state! Today’s spotlight is on Sharaya Smith.

Sharaya served last year with Homes For The Brave as their Development Assistant and this year she’s serving as Volunteer Services Coordinator for the Bridgeport Public Library (her hometown). She decided to join AmeriCorps because of the possibility to working with a local non-profit organization while building leadership skills and earning money to continue her college education at the same time.

“One of my biggest accomplishments while serving was getting the chance to help promote and develop "Female Soldiers:Forgotten Heroes" the only program in the state dedicated to serving homeless female veterans, during my first year. Being a Vet myself, it was service that touched me in a much more personal way.”

Great stuff Sharaya – keep up the great work and thank you for your service!

AmeriCorps week Spotlight - Becca Constantine!

As part of AmeriCorps Week 2012, each day we’ll be spotlighting a service member or alum across the state! Today’s spotlight is on Becca Constantine!

Becca is the Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA member in Fairfield University's Office of Service Learning. “I have the immense privilege of working with our amazingly dedicated and talented students to build meaningful partnerships with schools and other organizations in the greater Bridgeport community.” Becca says a highlight of her year has been helping develop a service-learning program that pairs service-learning students in English and Education classes with 1^st and 2^nd grade students at Cesar Batalla Elementary in Bridgeport. “The smiles on the children's faces after sharing a book with a Fairfield U. student are priceless!” she says.

Becca Also served in AmeriCorps NCCC in 2010 as a Corps member and Team Leader in the Atlantic Region, serving in Maryland, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and Louisiana on environmental and disaster response & recovery projects, and shared this story with is - “One day, we were gutting two houses along a residential street in a quiet suburb. After spending hours pulling soggy insulation from under a very nice gentleman's floorboards, I went to check on how my other team members had spent their day. They had just finished their work and were gathered in the driveway chatting with the homeowner. When I approached, he turned to me and smiled broadly. He explained that he had started the day filled with skepticism, wondering how four young women (all were between 18 and 24) could possibly have the strength and tenacity to clean out his house in the wake of a life-upending disaster. They did, though, and had left his day and his world a bit brighter. "These girls," he announced, "are my heroes." He gave them each a big hug before we moved on to our next houses."

Becca has also coached swim teams, volunteered at an orphanage in Ghana and plans on pursuing a Master's degree in Education Policy and Leadership after her service year. “I hope to use the knowledge I gain during my studies to address issues of diversity in higher education enrollment and retention and to work toward the implementation of best-practice models for helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed on college campuses."

Thanks for all you do Becca!! Great stuff!

Spotlight - Chad Davis

As part of AmeriCorps Week 2012, each day we’ll be spotlighting a service member or alum across the state! Today’s spotlight is on Chad Davis.

Chad served in a program in Meriden called CitySERVE! AmeriCorps for two separated years. One year he spent as a mentor to students in third grade at a local elementary school, tutoring students alongside teachers and a reading specialist. His second year he worked as an assistant to residential counselor at the Curtis Home.

"I was looking to get work experience and support to begin graduate school in teaching and the program caught my attention." Chad had also done the Peace Corps for two years and wanted a domestic program that resembled it.

Chad says he was able to gain confidence working with children and worked 60-hour weeks in order to fulfill his service agreement and earn the stipend. "I completed my hours and my group had a farewell party with a cake shaped liked Africa." Currently Chad is finishing a Teacher Certification in Special Education.

Thanks Chad - best of luck in the future!

AmeriCorps Week gets kicked off with Service Project in Bridgeport!

AmeriCorps Week 2012 started today and CT Alums along with some Public Allies and friends and family all joined together to get things done!

Some quantifiables:

- 16 Garden beds prepped for spring planting at the Michelle Obama Community garden
- 15 garbage bags of leaves and such raked and cleared
- 1,500 books organized, sorted, labeled and arranged for community book sale

Don't forget, for all the latest info, service events and feedback join us on Facebook HERE, on Twitter HERE or email us AmeriCorpsAlumsCT @ Gmail.com

AmeriCorps Week Service Project- Community Gardening in Newhallville!

All are invited to come join AmeriCorps alums, current members, and community members to build and support community gardens this Saturday.

Free breakfast and snacks for all!

Sign up on Facebook here.

Hope to see you Saturday, May 14th!

AmeriCorps Night at the Rock Cats!

Join fellow Alums for a night of baseball in New Britain at AmeriCorps Night at the Rock Cats this Friday Night!

On Friday, May 13, members and supporters of AmeriCorps will celebrate AmeriCorps Night at the New Britain Rock Cats baseball game.

AmeriCorps Night takes place during AmeriCorps Week, a national celebration.You are invited to “Pitch in for America” by attending the May 13 Rock Cats game in support of AmeriCorps. Purchase a $5 general admission ticket through one of the event organizers and half the proceeds of the ticket will support non-profit organizations that sponsor AmeriCorps VISTA projects.

Game starts at 6:35 – be sure to arrive early to see the opening pitch from an AmeriCorps representative! Gates open at 5:00 p.m. The Rock Cats, the minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, will take on the Portland Sea Dogs, the minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. facebook event here.

Connecticut Alums awarded AmeriCorps Week Grant!

AmeriCorps Alums has awarded 10 grants to help fund and facilitate AmeriCorps week events, including a grant for our Connecticut Chapter.

Stay tuned for future events, including happy hours, social and public outreach, service opportunities and more!

Kick Off AmeriCorps Week with Rock Cats Baseball!

Come out and show your support for AmeriCorps!

Friday, May 13th is AmeriCorps Night at New Britain Stadium.

Tickets are only $5, the Rock Cats (Minnesota Twins) will host the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox).

AmeriCorps will be featured during the First Pitch, an on field ceremony and the night will wrap up with fireworks!

Gates open at 5:05 pm, and the game starts at 6:35.

Stay tuned for more info, see you on the 13th!

AmeriCorps Week Dates Changed to May 7th-14th

AmeriCorps Week, the 7 days each spring dedicated to spreading the word about AmeriCorps through recruitment, recognition, service projects and special events such as AmeriCorps at the New Brittain Rock Cats is scheduled for May 7th-14th, 2011.

Stay tuned for more information and events on the best week of the year!