

Program Spotlight: Building Communities, Bettering Lives
Host Orgaanization Name: YWCA Central Alabama AmeriCorps Program Name: Building Communities, Bettering Lives Number of Members Serving: 40 AmeriCorps Members (full-time) Counties of Service: Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, and Blount Counties Program Staff: Joan Witherspoon-Norris, Social Justice Director; Angela Abdur-Rasheed, Program Director, Serra Craig, AmeriCorps Coordinator AmeriCorps Program: The YWCA’s Building Communities, Bettering Lives AmeriCorps program is dedicat


Program Spotlight: AmeriCorps Instructional Support Team
Host Organization: Butler County Board of Education AmeriCorps Program Name: AmeriCorps Instructional Support Team Number of Members Serving: 20 AmeriCorps Members (full-time) Counties of Service: Butler County Program Staff: Carol McArthur, Program Director and Kathy Tolin, Program Assistant AmeriCorps Program: For the past 20 years, the AmeriCorps Instructional Support Team (AIST) has successfully ensured a brighter future for Butler County's rural under-challenged students


Site Spotlight: Alfred Saliba Family Service Center
How many members serve at this site? One member serves at this site. What is your organizations goal at this site? The goal of this site is to improve the quality of life and empower individuals and families of Houston and surrounding counties, by providing coordinated, comprehensive, community based and accessible support service focused on crisis prevention. What is something exciting that has happen at the site? Alfred Saliba Center will be participating in Houston County


Emilie E. Shaver - YWCA of Central Alabama
Why did you join AmeriCorps? "I finished my masters in Counseling and realized I had only scratched the surface of the resources available to individuals in our community, so I decided in order to be the most effective and well-rounded therapist I could be then it would be beneficial to discover first-hand the resources available and immerse myself in them while doing so." What is your favorite part of national service? "So often individuals in our society are quick to jump a


YWCA Central Alabama Finds Long-term Success with AmeriCorps Alums
Birmingham, AL - Through its eight years of hosting an AmeriCorps Program, the YWCA’s “Building Communities, Bettering Lives” members have proven to not only make a great impact through service, but even in the years following as staff. Since the conclusion of the first corps of members in fall of 2010, more than 50 AmeriCorps members have transitioned from AmeriCorps service to full-time or part-time work with the YWCA Central Alabama and partnering AmeriCorps agencies. Some

Site Spotlight: Bright Beginnings
HOW MANY MEMBERS ARE SERVING AT THIS SITE? – During the 2016-2017 school year four (4) AIST members are assisting 90 rural economically disadvantage children. Members serve as instructional assistants in five (5) Bright Beginnings Pre-K classrooms. WHAT IS THE ORGANIZATION GOAL AT THIS SITE? To provide instructional assistance in early intervention in which every child is carefully nurtured, monitored, and guided as they grow and develop physically, socially, emotionally an


Nicholas Storment - Teach for America
Why did you join AmeriCorps?
I joined Teach For America because I wanted be a part of a social justice program that focused on impacting educational inequity. I also wanted to be in the classroom! I love teaching, and I knew I wanted to teach in a community where I could make an immediate impact. What is your favorite part of national service?
I really enjoy living in and learning from others in my community. What is your favorite thing to do when you are not serving/workin


Miah de Graft-Biney
Why did you join AmeriCorps?
I joined Teach For America because I believe in the mission of wanting to have a positive impact on students in low-income communities through the fostering of strong teacher-student relationships and building a network of like-minded individuals. What is your favorite part of national service?
I love building relationships with my students and parents. What is your favorite thing to do when you are not serving/working?
When I am not working, I


Site Spotlight: Birmingham Regional Empowerment and Development Center (BREAD)
How many members are serving at this site? We have two members-Kayla Jackson and Jasimine Montgomery serving at BREAD. What is your organizations goal at this site? The goal is to equip and empower students and their families for success while instilling and inspiring all participants with courage, confidence and character. What is something exciting that has happened at this site? The AmeriCorps members joined our staff this summer for small group and one-on-one academic int


Site Spotlight: East Coast Migrant Head Start Program
How many members are serving at this site? We have 6 AmeriCorps members conducting screenings, mainly focusing on summer-only programs. What is your organization’s goal at this site To work with administrators and teachers to provide high-tech vision screenings for their children, then connect the children who fail with comprehensive follow up care. What is something excited that has happened at this site We will be working primarily with East Coast Migrant Head Start program