Everett, Wash.
Published: Saturday, March 10, 2007

Participants help make our community better

 Kudos to the Snohomish County WDC AmeriCorps Program class of 2006-2007! They are joining more than 70,000 people nationwide in completing a year of national service, and the members of our local program are halfway done with their service year. In six months, 18 members have provided leadership and development activities to more than 1,500 at-risk teens. They have helped 24 teens find jobs. They have involved 289 youth in 840 hours of volunteer activities and 145 adults in 470 hours of volunteer activities. Combined, our AmeriCorps Program members have dedicated more than 12,000 hours to helping our community become a better place.

These numbers are impressive. What is even more impressive is that youth report increased leadership and development skills and more commitment to their community as a result of working with their AmeriCorps Program member. The program members in our community are changing lives and adding to the spirit of volunteerism in Snohomish County.

AmeriCorps Program members go about their service with passion, enthusiasm and grace. Their accomplishments and positive attitudes are to be applauded. The AmeriCorps Program would not be a success without host sites and host site supervisors. To the schools and faith-based and community organizations that are hosting a member, thank you.

AmeriCorps Program members come from all walks of life. Many of our members move on to careers in social services while others head back to school to earn graduate degrees. The 2007-2008 service year begins in August. We are currently recruiting members and host sites. Please contact Samantha Spitzer, at sspitzer@snocowdc.org, or visit www.worksourceonline.com/americorps if you are interested in getting involved with the AmeriCorps Program, or want to learn more about national service.

If you see somebody wearing an AmeriCorps logo, or any kind of national service or volunteer logo, give that person a pat on the back for helping our world become a better place.

Samantha Spitzer

AmeriCorps Program Director

Julie Houghton

AmeriCorps Program Coordinator
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA