AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter Perry Point, MD
Welcome to the 17th NCCC Class of the Atlantic Region AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
On the Front Cover: Snapshot of Class 17 at the induction ceremony on Friday, March 11, 2011. Special guests include the gentlemen in green from the Civilian Conservation Corps. Left to right: Keith “Junior” Paugh, George B. Smith and Joseph De Cenzo. On the Back Cover: Member of the fire team, Phoenix One
Inside this issue: Class XVII Induction
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Project Sponsor Spotlight
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Recruitment Partner Spotlight
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Corps Member Spotlight
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Where to Find Our Teams
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Alumni Spotlight
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Get a Team to Help You
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New to ‘the Point’
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All Corps Day
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Round 1 Snapshots
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Atlantic Region in the News
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Apply to NCCC
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AmeriCorps Week
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Note from the Director:
Dear Friends of the Atlantic Region Campus: As we break free from Old Man Winter, this issue celebrates the newness of spring by welcoming Class XVII, a first-time Project Sponsor, and two new staff members to the Atlantic Region.
You will also see snapshots from the Induction Ceremony and first round projects to show that Class XVII is a lively group excited to serve America’s communities. Our new staff members also have a history of service and share what inspired them to join NCCC in the New to the Point section. We are also thrilled to highlight our first-time Project Sponsor, Courtney’s House, and our Recruitment Partner, Covenant House Newark, NJ. Corps Member, Justin Wood, and Alumni Members, Jamie Casterton and Jason MacFadgen are also featured in this issue highlighting their accomplishments and plans for the future.
Newsletter Designed By: Nicole Bowens
If you are a potential project sponsor, read about how you can apply for an NCCC Team to help your community, or if you are thinking about joining NCCC, read about upcoming special events and information on application deadlines. Finally, our thoughts and also our teams are with those in the southern part of the country as we assist with response and recovery efforts. We hope you enjoy this issue of the quarterly newsletter and we thank you for your continued interest and support of the Atlantic Region. In Service,
For More Information about this publication Contact: Samuel McKenzie SMcKenzie@cns.gov
AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
Class 17 Induction Ceremony, Friday, March 11
Class XVII take AmeriCorps pledge led by National Director Mikel Herrington
“Your reality does not have to be your mindset” — Deputy State’s Attorney Kerwin Miller
Regional Director LaQuine Roberson and NCCC National Director Mikel Herrington celebrate Class XVII
Deputy State’s Attorney Kerwin Miller, of Cecil County, delivers words of encouragement to 227 Corps Members Team photo of Moose 3 (last row from left to right: Naiemah Brown, Megan Hill, Evan Owen, Nicholas King, and Jared Robison; middle row from left to right: Alyssa Cobb, Jamie Inarda, Roxann Phelan, and Bethany Fournier; bottom row from left to right: Terrell Price and Mark Hartman) AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
Project Sponsor Spotlight Courtney’s House, Washington, DC The Courtney’s House initiative was started in August 2008 and is dedicated to the mission of ending domestic sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of all children between the ages of 12 and 18 years. Courtney’s House focuses on providing direct services to children and will soon be opening a group home. Other services provided by the organization include weekly street outreach, a hotline number for victims and referrals, CSEC support groups, individual counseling/therapy, and intensive case management." An AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team from the Atlantic Region, Raven 7, is helping Courtney’s House to rehabilitate their new drop-in center. Courtney’s House is a first-time project sponsor for NCCC. The project was brought to the attention of NCCC by one of its own alumni; who for sensitivity reasons is referred to as “Erin N.” Erin N. is now an Assistant Project Manager at Courtney’s House. Erin N. recently remarked, “I had done similar construction projects when I was in AmeriCorps NCCC but I never encountered projects dealing with human trafficking. I thought this would be a great opportunity for the team to not only develop construction skills, but also learn about an important issue.” Courtney’s House believes that providing a safe space and direct services for sex trafficked children is a small but much needed key to success. For more information about Courtney’s House please visit http://www.courtneyshouse.org/About-Us.html or email:info@courtneyshouse.org For more information about becoming an NCCC project sponsor please visit http://www.americorps.gov/for_organizations/apply/nccc.asp
One of the bedrooms furnished by Courtney’s House AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
Covenant House
NCCC has a recruitment partnership with Covenant House New Jersey, the state’s largest provider of services to homeless and at-risk adolescents under 22 years of age. For over 20 years, Covenant House has prepared homeless youth to lead successful independent lives by providing residential and supportive services. At Covenant House, the career development program helps youth advance their education and obtain jobs by assisting them with school enrollment, GED completion, and college enrollment. The program also provides vocational training giving youth the tools they need to learn and obtain a job. Skills young people learn in the career development program include resume writing, job searching, and how to dress and prepare for an interview. Of the 1,010 youth who were served last year, 101 were able to advance their education, 199 obtained employment, and 182 were able to move out of the shelter and become independent. Recently, five Covenant House clients completed NCCC applications! Thank you Covenant House New Jersey for your support and partnership! For more information about Covenant House please visit - http://covenanthousenj.org or email at chnj@covenanthouse.org.
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
Class 17 Corps Member Spotlight Justin Wood
Renton, Washington Joined NCCC February 2011 “I don’t think twice about doing something if I know it’ll help someone else out.”- Justin Wood Justin Wood is the first Member of Class XVII to complete his 80 hours of Independent Service Projects (ISP)! ISP hours are additional volunteer hours earned above and beyond the 1,700 hours required to graduate with an education award. When asked what motivates him to serve, Wood credits his mother as his inspiration. “She’s always been big on civil service and giving back to our community. It just seems like second nature to me now.” Before joining NCCC, Wood attended Bellevue College studying Arts and Sciences and decided to take a break to figure out what he wanted to do. “I originally heard about AmeriCorps from a guy during a Youth Earth Service Corps hike and thought it was pretty interesting. It wasn’t until I decided to spend time figuring out what I wanted to do that I gave AmeriCorps a look on a whim, found NCCC and thought ‘This is it!’
Justin Wood with his team, Buffalo 1 (back row fourth from the left)
Wood plans to finish earning his Bachelor’s degree after his term with NCCC and is also considering applying for a Team Leader position during a future term. AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
Where to Find Our Teams ALABAMA DISASTER RESPONSE
NEW JERSEY
AL Service Commission— Tuscaloosa, AL AL Service Commission— Tuscaloosa, AL Bay Area Food Bank—-Theodore, AL Temporary Emergency Svcs—-Tuscaloosa, AL Temporary Emergency Svcs—-Tuscaloosa, AL Temporary Emergency Svcs—-Tuscaloosa, AL Temporary Emergency Svcs—-Tuscaloosa, AL
Camden Children’s Garden—Camden, NJ Respond—Camden, NJ Trailblazers—Montague, NJ
CONNECTICUT
NEW YORK NYC DEC Albany—Albany, NY Groundwork Hudson Valley—Yonkers, NY Catskill Animal Sanctuary— Saugerties, NY City of Buffalo—Buffalo, NY
Wakeman B&G—Bridgeport, CT
RHODE ISLAND
DELAWARE Girl Scouts Chesapeake Bay—Newark, DE Ronald McDonald House—Wilmington, DE
The Marchers Rochambeau Trail— Providence, RI
PENNSYLVANIA GEORGIA DISASTER RESPONSE Spaulding City Fire EMA—Griffin, GA
MARYLAND City Neighbors—Baltimore, MD Girl Scouts of Central MD—Baltimore, MD Town of Port Deposit—Port Deposit, MD Project Crossroad—Elkton, MD National Aquarium—Baltimore, MD
Lackawanna Heritage Valley—Scranton, PA
WASHINGTON D.C. National Park Service—Washington, DC Capital Area Food Bank—Washington, DC Greater DC Cares—Washington, DC KaBoom Build—Washington, DC
NEW HAMPSHIRE Camp Wilmot—Wilmot, NH
MASSACHUSETTS Marion Institute—Marion, MA Groundwork Somerville—Somerville, MA Stone Soup Leadership—Vineyard Haven, MA
MISSISSIPPI DISASTER RESPONSE Hannah Easley, Raven 4 Member at Kayam Farm,
VERMONT Mary Johnson Children Center—Middlebury, VT
VIRGINIA Fire Composite—Great Dismal, VA
American Red Cross—Jackson, MS American Red Cross—Jackson, MS
Reisterstown, MD Interactive Deployment Map: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=212394024707708527659.00048ae81daa5e6a7d8b0&ll=30.902225,‐81.606445&spn=30.088055,30.322266&z=5
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
Alumni Spotlight The adventure for Corps Members does not have to end after just one year. They can be like Jason MacFadgen better known as Jay from Malden, Massachusetts who did two terms of service at the Atlantic Region campus. Jay now lives in Boston, MA and is the Youth/Volunteer Match Specialist for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Jay studied Hearing/Deafness & American Sign Language at Emerson College. We, at the Point, first came to know Jay as a Class 15 Corps Member in the then Badger 6 team. As a Badger, Jay’s team traveled across the Atlantic Region and to New Orleans. While in New Orleans Jay served with several project sponsors including Rebuilding Together and even got to meet Mr. Anderson Cooper! At the Class 15 Awards Banquet Jay won the most awards of any Member that year for his service and leadership. Thank you Jay for your service as a Corps Member and a Team Leader.
Hey Alums! Stay in touch. NEW LINKEDIN Group!http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=3832071&trk=anet_ug_grppro We want to hear from you! Stay in touch. Consider visiting a team near you. Share your story. Give ideas about CAP events, ISPs or Community Days. You can also visit the campus or attend a special event! Here are a few key dates: AmeriCorps Week, Projects all across the Atlantic Region. May 14—21st Campus Career Fair, Alumni Sharing Opportunities, July 2011 Member for a Day in Baltimore, Camden, and DC. Saturday October 22 Open House, Perry Point, MD. October 2011 Class 17 Awards Banquet, Wednesday, November 16 Class 17 Graduation, Wednesday, November 17 Many of our Members who finish NCCC have their sights set on the Peace Corps like Jamie Casterton, Class 16 Corps Member soon to be Peace Corps Volunteer. She says, “In my Life After AmeriCorps in the Twin Cities, I continue a lifestyle of service as a volunteer tutor for Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language, and by volunteering two days a week at my local United Way (a pretty cool gig that I got due to my AmeriCorps experience with United Way Rhode Island). Both of these opportunities will help me prepare for my next step - Peace Corps. On June 1st, I board a plane to Mali, Africa to spend 27 months training and working as an Education and Literacy volunteer. Peace Corps is a great next step after AmeriCorps and many Class XVI alums were nominated or have received invitations to serve with Peace Corps. After my service I plan to get more involved in Disaster Response, a passion uncovered during NCCC.” Best of luck to you Jamie we look forward to hearing about your service adventures! AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
Get a Team to help you with a project
Contact: Robin Nixon, Deputy Region Director for Programming, RNixon@cns.gov Projects typically last six to eight weeks. Project Sponsors can be non-profits—secular and faith based, local municipalities, state governments, federal government, national or state parks, Indian tribes and schools. Projects must be related to these focus areas: Natural & Other Disasters, Infrastructure Improvement, Environmental Stewardship and Conservation, Energy Conservation, Urban and Rural development. Please use this link to download the concept form: https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_5THUl-PNTmMjY3NDRiNTctNmE4Mi00YzAyLTllN2QtMGVmZDBhYzg5YmZk&hl=en States & Territories Served: CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NJ, NH, NY, RI, VT, PA, PR, USVI
Requesting Teams For:
Step 1. Concept Form
Step 2. Project Application
Round 1 (March-April 2011) Round 2 (May-June 2011) Round 3 (July-August 2011) Round 4 (Sept-Nov 2011)
Submit by Oct 22, 2010 Submit by Jan 14, 2011 Submit by March 11, 2011 Submit by May 6, 2011
Submit by Dec 3, 2010 Submit by Feb 18. 2011 Submit by April 22, 2011 Submit by June 10, 2011
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
New to ‘the Point’ — Meet the New Staff Members!
Jason Cangelosi - Unit Leader (Moose Unit), MCangelosi@cns.gov Jason has a background in program management and outdoor education and was working for the YMCA in Portland, Maine before joining the NCCC staff members at the Perry Point campus. His experience as a Corps Member in Class VII in Charleston, SC motivated him to apply for the Unit Leader Position. “The opportunity to work with Corps Members and see the change in people from when they enter the program until they graduate is very rewarding.”
Sharon Kellogg - Unit Leader (Buffalo Unit), SKellogg@cns.gov Before joining the NCCC staff, Sharon served in the United States military and was also the Emergency Response Manager for the University of Maryland Medical Center. She says that the camaraderie and sense of purpose she found in the military motivated her to pursue her current position “serving with people of a like mind”. Her favorite quote is “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago” by Warren Buffett.
AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
All Corps Day — July 12th: Perry Point, MD Local service projects AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
Raven 7 and CNCS CEO Patrick Corvington at Veterans Build in Annapolis, Maryland
Raven 5 at Raccoon Creek State Park in Hookstown, Pennsylvania
Round 1 Snapshots
Buffalo 4 setting up FIRST Robotics Regional Competition in Washington, DC
Moose 1 weeding and getting things done at the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland
AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
View more team photos at: https://picasaweb.google.com/atlanticregionphotosxvii
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
The Moose 7 team works with Habitat for Humanity to install sprinkler systems in new homes.
AmeriCorps NCCC is working with United Saints in New Orleans to provide homeowners with home renovations needed to meet city regulations. Learn more here. Watch the video of the NCCC team creating a community garden with Camden, NJ residents. Moose 1 makes improvements to Girl Scouts of Central Maryland’s Camp Conowingo.
Find us, Friend us, Follow us, Join us and Like us at: AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
Join the Team Apply to NCCC Today! There is a 3 step process
For questions about NCCC or to talk with someone who is in the program or has finished, please call 1-800-942-2677 or email acnccc@cns.gov.
Step 1: Complete a Profile
More information can also be found at www.americorps.gov/nccc.
Step 2: Complete an Application
The Atlantic Region of NCCC serves: CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, PR, RI, USVI, VT
Step 3: Submit the Application to the NCCC program
AmeriCorps NCCC Members must meet the age requirement of 18-24 and be able to provide documentation of their status as a U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident alien. All NCCC Members receive a living allowance of approximately $4,000 for the 10 months of service (about $200 every two weeks before taxes), housing, meals, travel, limited medical benefits, $400 a month for childcare per child, if necessary, member uniforms, and a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,550 upon successful completion of the program. All applications must be completed online at www.americorps.gov/nccc. Apply today! Applications are due August 31st for Corps Members and August 1st for Team Leaders. AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
A m e r i C o r p s W e e k, M a y 14 — 21 Join us in saluting the accomplishments of AmeriCorps Members, Alumni, Community Partners, and Grantees who work together to make AmeriCorps possible. Also learn about how you can become a Corps Member and get things done for America! For more information about an AmeriCorps Week project across the Atlantic Region contact: SMcKenzie@cns.gov AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, Atlantic Region Campus Mailing Address: PO Box 27, Perry Point, MD 21902 Office: 410 642 2411 ext. 6850
Fax: 410 642 1888
AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, team-based, residential program for men and women age 18–24. Members are assigned to one of five campuses, located in Denver, Colorado; Sacramento, California; Perry Point, Maryland; Vicksburg, Mississippi; and Vinton, Iowa. The mission of AmeriCorps NCCC is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service. In partnership with non-profits—secular and faith based, local municipalities, state governments, federal government, national or state parks, Indian Tribes and schools members– service members complete service projects throughout the region they are assigned. Drawn from the successful models of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s and the U.S. military, AmeriCorps NCCC is built on the belief that civic responsibility is an inherent duty of all citizens and that national service programs work effectively with local communities to address pressing needs.
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AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
April, May, June 2011