AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter Perry Point, MD AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011
Front Page Photo: Members of Raven 7 reenact history during a cleanup in Buffalo, New York Inside Cover Photo: Members of Buffalo 5 pause for a photo during a disaster response project Back Page Photo: Corps Members smile for a picture after getting read for Spike III Newsletter Design: Sierra Brown, Community Relations Associate Please Note: The newsletter is designed for digital viewing only
Welcome to the early fall edition of our campus quarterly newsletter. Right now our teams are deployed in the field for the 4th and final round projects. Most recently the campus has been very busy with disaster response and recovery needs across the country. A special thanks to all our project sponsors who have been flexible and understanding of the various changes to team deployments. Please see page 8 for a current listing of where our teams are located. If you are interested to get a team to help you in 2012, please see page 10 for a list of the upcoming deadlines. In this issue on page 5, we feature one of our project sponsors—City Neighbors Charter School in Baltimore, MD.
Class XVII Impacts of the Community 3 AmeriCorps Week Highlights
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Project Sponsor Spotlight
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Recruitment Sponsor Spotlight
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Class XVII Member Spotlight
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Where to Find Our Teams
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NCCC Alumni Spotlight
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Get a Team to Help You
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Upcoming Special Events
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Photos & Faces from the Field
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The Atlantic Region in the News
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Join NCCC Today!
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Life After AmeriCorps Career Fair
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Job Corps CTS Spotlight
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Working Group Meeting Oct 6
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Campus Contact Information
The Class 17 service year has moved very quickly and our Members are making a huge impact on communities. On page 3, we list some of the statistical impacts of this Class. On page 7 and 9 you can read the stories of one outstanding Class 17 Member and a Class 16 alumnus. This year, our Members have also been featured in the New York Times, Forbes.com and other publications listed on page 13. For anyone looking to join NCCC in 2012 on September 30, the Winter 2012 application deadline closes. Read more about the application process on page 14 and see page 6 for a feature of one of our Recruitment Partners YouthBuild Schenectady NY. In this issue, we also recap several special events such as AmeriCorps Week, a Baltimore area Alumni Day of Service, our Life After AmeriCorps Career Fair and an On the Job Training with the Maryland Job Corps Transition Office. Looking ahead, on Thursday, October 6 the campus will host a face to face Working Group Meeting and our annual Open House in Perry Point, MD. On Saturday, October 22, members of the community are invite to join a team in the field in Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC. Finally, on November 16, we will celebrate all the accomplishments of this service year with the Class 17 Awards Banquet and on November 17, Class 17 will graduate in the Baltimore area. Please join us and RSVP to SMcKenzie@cns.gov or call 410 642 2411 ext. 6244 Once again, thank you for all your support of the Atlantic Region campus and our Members. In Service,
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AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011
NCCC in the Community = Where we Left our Mark
Youth Development 3645 High school students supported in and out of high school programs 2475 Educational Materials and/ or preparedness kits distributed 378 People educated on sustainability and energy conservation practices 285 Elementary students supported in and out of school programs 69 Elementary students tutored 29 environmental education classes/workshops conducted 17 Environmental education programs developed and supported
Disaster Response 20920 Feet of coastal shoreline restored or protected
Hunger & Nutrition
20000 Native plants planted 17033 New trees planted
3031 Meals served
4823 Books sorted, inventoried, repaired, and shelved
804 Homeless people assisted
1573 Acres of land burned in prescribed burns to prevent fires
550 Meals served in disaster areas
1000 Damage or needs assessments completed 982 People receiving clothing 119 Campsites built or refurbished
Impact stats are from March to July 2011
Volunteers Leveraged
67 Homes painted or renovated
8617 People assisted in disaster areas
57 Miles of existing hiking trails restored
4282 People assisted at mass care facilities
44 Parks restored
215 Murals painted
43 Neighborhood cleanup activities organized or conducted
208 Higher education students engaged service
41 Disaster service facilities supported
78 People participating in recycling programs
25 Energy efficiency kits assembled and/ or distributed
25 People assisted with language barriers to receive public service
11 Environmental education facilities built or repaired
AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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2 Historical cemeteries restored Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011
The NCCC Atlantic Region Campus teamed with the CNCS Maryland/ Delaware State Office, Playworks, Civic Works and Experience Corps and hosted an AmeriCorps Roundtable Discussion entitled “Stories of Service”
Vu Dang and Crystal Biles (CNCS State Office Director for Maryland/Delaware)
Vu Dang, Baltimore City Chief of Service Officer joined us during AmeriCorps Week; as well as, 33 attendees of 13 different organizations in Baltimore, Maryland. AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011
NCCC has teamed up with City Neighbors Charter School in Baltimore, MD. The mission of City Neighbors Charter School is to provide an extraordinary public school education with high academic achievement for all students. Their ultimate goal for the school is through Project Based Learning, arts integration, parental involvement, and community outreach. The students leave enlivened with deep awareness of themselves, their families, and the outside community; with the capacity to be good. "Childhood is not to prepare for adulthood. Childhood is to live your life now.� Bobbi Macdonald, President and Founder, City Neighbors Charter School At City Neighbors Charter School, their classrooms serve as individual model communities where issues are discussed, differences in perspectives are welcomed and children work cooperatively, rather than competitively. The Charter School’s governance model- including parents, business and community leaders, teachers, students and the principal - reflect their commitment to cooperative governance, based on the principles of human dignity, consensus, and freedom. Because of this focus, their impact on the lives of students and families and the community will be powerful, positive and long lasting. Thank you to City Neighbors Charter School for supporting NCCC teams. City Neighbors Charter School Baltimore City Public School #326 4301 Raspe Ave Baltimore, MD 21206-1913 410-325-CNCS (2627) fax 410-325-CITY (2489)
Mike Chalupa, Principal
THANK YOU CITY NEIGHBORS CHARTER SCHOOL FOR HOSTING OUR TEAMS! AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011
AmeriCorps NCCC has a national recruitment partnership with YouthBuild USA. YouthBuild Schenectady, located in the state of New York, is a 12-month program that helps young adults ages 18 –24 from Schenectady County earn a GED while getting paid to build afaffordable housing. Participants receive six months of classroom instruction and onsite construction training and six months of job placement and support services. The program is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Labor; Schenectady County Job Training Agency; the Corporation for National & Community Service; and the Wal-Mart Foundation.
Services offered by YouthBuild Schenectady: Hands-on construction training, construction certification, GED classes , leadership development, career development , opportunities to attend college and participate in advance training programs, computer training Recently six YouthBuild Schenectady students completed and submitted NCCC applications for the Fall Cycle. For more information about YouthBuild Schenectady please visit: http://www.neparentchild.org/Programs/YouthBuild%20Schenectady.htm THANK YOU YOUTHBUILD SCHENECTADY NY FOR HELPING US RECRUIT! AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011
Member Spotlight Briana Courchesne-Owades Briana is a true definition of dedication and determination. As a member of Class 17 on the Buffalo 2 team, she was first deployed to Alabama, as a member of the Thunder 1 Composite team to the Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) in Birmingham. She was chosen to be the Assistant Team Leader of the composite team and she not only excelled but also impressed the sponsors and members of the higher echelons of the Joint Field Office. Moreover Briana was working as an assistant team leader of the VRC when it broke volunteer registration records; registering over 12,000 volunteers. She then returned to her team, Buffalo 2, without taking a break and worked in the distribution center assisting storm victims with various needed items. She also provided leadership to volunteers from all over the state of Alabama who came to help. As if that wasn’t enough, Briana volunteered to postpone her summer break to stay on duty in Alabama. She has been chosen to don a green shirt and serve as a composite team leader in Jackson County, Alabama with the primary responsibility of debris removal. Way to go Briana, you represent the ‘A’ & you are a model Corps Member! AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011
NEW HAMPSHIRE New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services-Emergency Services Unit—Concord Volunteer NH— Conway NEW YORK
Community Initiatives—Birmingham
NEW JERSEY Camden City Garden Club, Camden Children’s Garden—Camden
FEMA—1971 DR-AL—Scottsboro
Respond INC—Camden
Groundwork Hudson Valley—Yonkers
FEMA DR 1971 AL—Alabama Disaster Tornado
FEMA— Trenton
NY VOAD—Rochester
Recovery—Walker County
Disaster Response— Tinton
NORTH DAKOTA
Walker County Coalition Homeless— Jasper
American Red Cross — Tinton
ARC— Minot
LTRG— Jackson/DeKalb County
MASSACHUSETTS
PENNSYLVANIA
ALABAMA Alabama Governor's Office of Faith Based &
Catskill Animal Sanctuary—Saugerties NY State Department of Environment Conservation
Massachusetts Audubon Society—Westport CONNETICUT Torrington Area Health District-Medical Reserve FEMA—Springfield Corps—Enfield The Marion Institute—Marion
Krislund Camp— Madisonburg
Wakeman Boys and Girls Club—Bridgeport
MARYLAND
Hope For Kids— Wayne
Hurricane Irene Response— Middletown
Perry Point VA Medical Center—Perry Point
RHODE ISLAND
DELAWARE
Project Crossroads—Elkton
RI Disaster Response—Providence
Delaware State Parks—Dover
City Neighbors Foundation, Inc.—Baltimore
RI VOAD—Providence
Delaware Division of Parks
Moveable Feast—Baltimore
TENNESSEE
and Recreation—Dover
Blue Water Baltimore—Baltimore
Greene County Emergency Management
DENERR—Dover
Awaiting disaster deployment— Perry Point
Agency—Greeneville
HFH NCC—Wilmington
The Loading Dock— Baltimore
VERMONT
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington— Washington
YMCA Camp Letts— Edgewater
Franklin Watershed Committee—Enosburg Falls
Academy of Success— Baltimore
Vermont Voluntary Organization Active in
Kayam Farm— Reisterstown
Disaster—Williston
Takoma Park Festival—Washington Greater DC Cares– 9/11 Day of Service— Washingtown
MAINE
Vermont State Park— Plymouth
Town of Sanford—Sanford
Town of Bristol— Bristol
Wells National Estuarine Research — Wells
FEMA— Burlington
HFH Seven Rivers— Bath
VIRGINIA
**See the National NCCC Deployment Report for where teams are located
the week of Sept 19— http://issuu.com/americorpsncccatlanticregion/docs/copy_of_nccc_deployment_report_9-19-11
Greater Portland— Portland
HFH Allegheny— New Kensington Raccoon Creek— Hookstown
US Fish and Wildlife (Fire)—
City of Bangor— Bangor AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011
KEEP IN TOUCH ALUMS
Alumni Spotlight
WITH OUR LINKED IN GROUP http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=3832071&trk=anet_ug_grppro
We want to hear from you! Rebecca Constantine
Consider visiting a team near you.
Northampton, Massachusetts
Share your story.
Rebecca is a graduate of Brown University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics; she also was President of the rugby team and was privileged enough to study abroad in Melbourne, Australia. As a corps member Rebecca was a part of Wolf Team 1 with Melissa Jabat as team leader and Christopher Quaka as unit leader during class 16.
Give ideas about CAP events, ISPs or Community Days.
Recap on service year: Class 16 commencement speaker, Corps Ambassador Representative, Fourth Round: H4H NOLA Restore, 3rd Round: Massachusetts AuduSociety, Round 2nd: Composite Team Leader in TN, interim Support Team Leader for Wolf Unit STL, 1st Round Baltimore Rebecca sitting at the bus stop with two-year-old Parks & People., first person to finish Beauty during her time volunteering in Ghana. ISPs during Class 16, received a leadership award during CTI, Congressional Gold Medal Recipient.
You can also visit the campus or attend a special event! See Photos from an Alumni Day of Service in Baltimore: https://picasaweb.google.com/104746508586168421350/AlumniDayOfServiceBaltimoreMDSept172011#slideshow/5654853521728914370
Highlight of Service Year: Connecting with homeowners in Tennessee after arriving in Nashville ten days after the water receded and entered into the homes. Rebecca highlights helping homeowners was a powerful experience. Moreover, she remembers the community was welcoming and opened their doors to the team.
What she’s doing now: Rebecca volunteered at home for two months, traveled Rebecca standing with Wolf 1 teammates Sabrina Alten (left) and Traci Huddleston (center) at an ISP at Baltimore-based Moveable Feast.
for 3 months, volunteered in Ghana for a month and now joining VISTA, Connecticut Campus Compact – office of service learning- Fairfield University. Following VISTA Rebecca wants to go to graduate school for higher education administration and would like to ultimately harness the power of education to make the world a better place and strengthen our communities and global communities. Rebecca also plans on taking the GRE next month.
Member for a Day, in Baltimore and D.C. ,Saturday October 22,2011 Open House, Perry Point, MD. Thursday October 6, 2011
Class 17 Awards Banquet, Wednesday, November 16
Advice to Class 17: Recognize that there will be hard days and moments when you want to set down the shovel and take a break for a few minutes but just work through that and always, always, always remember why you are doing this. Remember why you served and the people’s lives you are changing through your service; in the end you will realize that your life is being changed most of all.
Next Countries on List: India and Peru AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Class 17 Graduation, Wednesday, November 17
Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011
Contact: Robin Nixon Deputy Region Director for Programming RNixon@cns.gov Projects typically last six to eight weeks. Project Sponsors can be nonprofits—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. States & Territories Served: CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NJ, NH, NY, RI, VT, PA, PR, USVI
Please use this link to download the RFP form: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B_5THUl-PNTmM2RmYmI5MTUtMWRiMC00ZWMyLWIyZDQtMGY5M2MzZjJmMmRk&hl=en_US
Please use this link to download the concept form: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B_5THUl-PNTmYzYxMjNiMjMtNDY3OS00MDIwLTg2OWEtNmUxMjkwMjA0NWMz&hl=en_US
AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Requesting Teams For:
Step 1. Concept Form Step 2. Project Application
Round 1 (March-April 2012) Round 2 (May-June 2012)
Submit by Oct 21, 2011 Submit by Jan 13, 2012
Submit by Dec 2, 2011
Round 3 (July-August 2012)
Submit by March 10, 2012
Submit by April 21, 2012
Round 4 (Sept.-Nov. 2012)
Submit by May 5, 2012
Submit by June 9, 2012
Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
Submit by Feb. 17, 2012
July, August, September 2011
Participate in local service projects as an AmeriCorps members on Saturday October 22, 2011 in Baltimore, MD; Camden, NJ & Washington, D.C. Specific projects will be announced October 7, 2011 Online Registration: http://tinyurl.com/MemberForADay2011
AmeriCorps NCCC not only repairs houses but we also open the doors of our own! Join us on Thursday, Oct 6, 2011, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Location: AmeriCorps NCCC, VA Medical Center, 15 Boilerhouse Road, Building 15, Perry Point, MD. 21902.
Save the Date! Class 17 will celebrate the service year with an Awards Banquet on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 in the evening in the Baltimore, MD area. Join us for the Class 17 Graduation Ceremony, the morning of Thursday, November 17, 2011 in the Baltimore area
To RSVP for any events contact Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov or call 410 642 2411 ext 6244 AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011
AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011
AmeriCorps was featured in the American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom in story: Red Cross is here for the long haul
Raven 1 featured in the Cecil Whig Newspaper after assisting Veterans
AmeriCorps volunteer, Jacob Biddlecome, 24, from Maryland was featured in Forbes website after handing out Red Cross informational flyers on how to return to your flooded home in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
AmeriCorps appeared in the Associated Press, The New York Times, afafter responding to the record water for Mississippi River City
AmeriCorps appeared in NC Nepal website after responding to La. Floodgate Opens, Diverting Mississippi River
AmeriCorps pitches featured in Martha ‘s Vineyard Times after pitching in at Martha’s Vineyards
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
July, August, September 2011
Apply To
Applications for Winter 2012 close on Sept 30 at 11:59pm ET
day!
All applications must be completed online at www.americorps.gov/nccc. There is a 3 step process to applying to NCCC:
Step 1: Complete a Profile Step 2: Complete an Application Step 3: Submit the Application to the NCCCC program
AmeriCorps NCCC Members must meet the age requirements of 18-24 and be able to provide documentation of the status as a US 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 $2000 every two weeks before taxes), housing, meals, travel, limited medical benefits, $400 month for childcare per child, if necessary, member uniforms, and a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,550 upon successful completion of the program. For questions about NCCC or to talk to someone already in or already finished the program, please call 1 800 942 2677 or email ac_nccc@cns.gov. Read the NCCC Applicant Newsletter here -http://issuu.com/americorpsncccatlanticregion/docs/volume_2.6 , And more information can also be found at www.americorps.gov/nccc AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011
Life After AmeriCorps Career Fair
On September 1, 2011, two-hundred Atlantic Region Members attended a Life After AmeriCorps Career Fair which included numerous workshops tailored to Member needs such as resume writing and interview tips, Undergraduate and Graduate school preparation and panels on Nonprofit Careers/Government Careers and National Service opportunities. Several alumni from the Atlantic Region campus also attended the event to give advice and share with Members about their experiences after AmeriCorps NCCC. Members also had an opportunity to attend a Career Fair with numerous organizations from Teach for America to Job Corps and universities such as Brandeis University. If you are interested to share with our Members in the future as a workshop presenter, exhibitor, trainer or facilitator please contact the Assistant Program Director for Training, Caryln Payton, at CPayton@cns.gov. Thank you to all the individuals, organizations and agencies that participated in this year’s Career Fair.
AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011
Opportunities On the Job Training This past July the Maryland Job Corps Transition office launched its first On the Job Training Program with AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region. The purpose of the one week On the Job Training was to simulate the NCCC experience for ten Job The Maryland Transition Office provided housing Corps graduates. In this way, Job Corps near the Perry Point campus and also issued gray graduates could learn first hand about and khaki uniforms for the ten Maryland Job Corps graduate trainees. NCCC by shadowing a team and simulating the NCCC experience for several days. Trainees were able to tour the Atlantic Region campus facilities and also hear directly from the Atlantic Region staff about the rules and regulations of the NCCC program. At the end of the one week shadow, the Job Corps trainees presented a debrief to the Atlantic Region staff and the Maryland Transition Office about their experiences. Recently, one of the trainees has applied to be an NCCC Member for Class 18! The ten trainees embedded with an NCCC team to cook meals, participate in physical training, share in team builders and complete service projects with the VA Medical Center and the Delaware Food Bank.
AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
Thank you to the Maryland Transition Office based at the Woodstock Maryland Job Corps Center for this wonderful idea and your support to promote the NCCC experience to young people. 16
Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011
WORKING GROUP ANNUAL FACE TO FACE MEETING Thursday, October 6, 2011 starting at 9 a.m. at the Perry Point, MD campus Please RSVP with Sam McKenzie at SMcKenzie@cns.gov Following the Working Group Meeting the campus will host an Open House for the general community. The Atlantic Region Working Group is an opportunity for community stakeholders across the Atlantic Region to give input and share ideas with the Atlantic Region campus. Participants include NCCC current and recent staff, CNCS State Offices, State Commissions, NCCC project sponsors, NCCC recruitment partners and NCCC alumni.
For more information about the Working Group: Check out the Working Group site Download the Working Group Flier AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Campus Quarterly Newsletter
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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 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
The mission of AmeriCorps NCCC is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service 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. 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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Contact: Sam McKenzie, SMcKenzie@cns.gov
July, August, September 2011