AmeriCorps

                                            Service Year

                                             2020 - 2021                        

Hi, my name is Angi, and I am an AmeriCorps Homes for All Service Member.

For the past year, I have been serving with Beattyville Housing and Development in Lee County and will be serving for a second term. I am originally from Frankfort and have been in the Owsley/Lee County area since 2010. It was a huge adjustment coming from a large city to this area. However, I do not see myself ever leaving the area that I now call home! I have made a number of friends and acquaintances here and enjoy being HOME!

Through this past year, Lee County residents, along with myself have been through some very trying times – I lost my mother, there was ice storms, flooding and the COVID19 pandemic. However, we must and will overcome and go forward.

During the pandemic, many families lost loved ones and faced sickness themselves. Schools and business were forced to change their routines and everyone had to adapt to the changing world. I hope everyone is being safe and we can get back to some normalcy.

In March 2021, we were faced with major flooding – many businesses and homes were damaged or destroyed. Homelessness increased due to the flooding of an entire mobile home park. Families were forced to stay in vehicles, with other families or being placed in hotels throughout the area and surrounding counties. There is not enough affordable housing for families! Waiting lists for housing and food assistance has increased. I have been searching for housing for numerous clients and there is very little or nothing available.

The Beattyville community (and outsiders) are resilient and came together in droves to assist business owners and families in need. Food, cleaning supplies, personal items, water, household items, clothing and other materials were donated like never before.

As I come to the closing of my first year of service, I want to thank the AmeriCorps staff, Beattyville Housing and Development staff and the community for assisting me with any questions, concerns and assistance that I have needed to learn more about the community and my service.

What is AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps is the only federal agency tasked with elevating service and volunteerism in America. It provides opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to give their time and talents to strengthen communities across the country. To support the placement of AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Senior volunteers in communities, more than $800 million in grants are provided each year.

There are 40K communities served across the country, 1.6B hours served and 270K members and volunteers serving. AmeriCorps connects more than 100,000 individuals to job training and work placement programs each year. AmeriCorps members generate millions in cash and In-kind resources to expand economic opportunities.

AmeriCorps Programs and Initiatives include:

• AmeriCorps State and National matches individuals with organizations that see service as a solution to local, regional, and national challenges. There are thousands of opportunities in locations across the country to serve with nonprofits, schools, public agencies, tribes, and community and faith-based groups. Most AmeriCorps grant funding goes to Serve Kentucky, the Governor-appointed State Service Commission, which in turn awards grants to organizations to respond to local needs.

• AmeriCorps VISTA places individuals with organizations that fight poverty, to build capacity and make sustainable change. Through fundraising, grant writing, volunteer recruitment, and so much more, AmeriCorps VISTA members gain experience and leadership skills that put them on track for a life of service in the public, private, or nonprofit sector.

• AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, team-based, residential program for 18-24-year-olds. Whether clearing trails for a national park or building homes for families in need, AmeriCorps NCCC members engage in a variety of projects in multiple communities while developing leadership and teamwork skills. AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps serves communities, in coordination with FEMA, through disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

• AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparents provides grants to organizations to engage low-income Americans 55 and older in providing one-on-one mentoring and academic support to children with special or exceptional needs.

• AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companions provides grants to organizations to engage low-income Americans 55 and older in providing supportive, individualizes services to help older adults and adults maintain their dignity and independence.

• AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP provides grants to organizations to engage Americans 55 and older in tutoring and mentoring youth, responding to natural disasters, supporting veterans and their families, and meeting other critical needs.

• Volunteer Generation Fund supports voluntary organizations and state service commissions in boosting the impact of volunteers in addressing critical community needs.

• MLK Day of Service is observed each year on the third Monday in January as “a day on, not a day off.” MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

• 9/11 Day of Service calls Americans across the country to volunteer in their local communities in tribute to the individuals lost and injured in the attacks, first responders, and the many who have risen in service to defend freedom.

For decades, AmeriCorps has worked to make service to others and indispensable part of the American experience. Through our nation’s most trying of times, AmeriCorps has come together to help those in need.

AmeriCorps Mission

To improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.

Key focus areas that make an impact are:

Education

Members and volunteers support students in nearly 12,000 public, private and Charter schools across the country. Through AmeriCorps work there is improvements in attendance and engagement, increases in high school graduation rates and expanded college enrollment.

Economic Opportunity

AmeriCorps serve as a pathway to employment opportunities and help develop vital work skills. AmeriCorps build and rehabilitate affordable housing, provide financial literacy training and connect people to jobs.

Disaster Response

When disaster strikes, AmeriCorps repairs homes, assist survivors and helps to restore the community when it matters most. Americorps has deployed thousands of members and volunteers to areas affected by hurricanes, wildfires, floods and tornados.

Environmental Stewardship

AmeriCorps serves on projects that cover thousands of acres of public lands across America – including with the National Park Service. Help is done to conserve natural habitats, protect clean air and water, and reduce utility bills by improving home energy efficiency.

Healthy Futures

AmeriCorps provide independent living services to 365,000 elderly Americans.  Providing food banks, combat the opioid crisis, tackling homelessness and addressing food security.

Veterans and Military Families

AmeriCorps provides assistance to nearly 500,000 veterans and military families by connecting them to education opportunities, jobs and the benefits they have earned. Many veterans volunteer, so they can continue to serve their country.

AmeriCorps Pledge

I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarted and heathier.

I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities.

Faced with apathy, I will take action.

Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground.

Faced with adversity, I will persevere.

I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond.

I am an Americorps member, and I will get things done.