Children First/CIS graduates Project POWER/AmeriCorps Team 19 after year of service

From Children First/CIS:

CHILDREN FIRST/ COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS
GRADUATES TEAM 19 OF PROJECT POWER/AMERICORP

(Asheville, N.C. ) – Children First/Communities in Schools (CIS) is happy to announce the graduation of Team 19 of its Project POWER/AmeriCorps program.

Oftentimes described as the “domestic Peace Corps,” AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that administers national service programs such as AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Project Conserve. Team members commit to serving 1,700 hours in a year — or roughly 40 hours a week — while earning a living stipend of only $13,100 a year.

During their service year they are placed in schools and communities where needs are high and resources are scarce. But their impact is tremendous. In fact, this past year the 23 graduating team members served over 40,000 hours in our local schools and non-profit after-school programs that serve of most vulnerable students. They recruited 8,000 community volunteers to provide much-needed donations and academic assistance. And most importantly, they provided enrichment services and academic support to 1,200 students in need of one-on-one tutoring and mentoring.

Students like “Adam.” Children First/CIS Project POWER team member Mackie Forgacs recalls the strong bond the two of them forged this past year. Adam was enrolled in the YWCA summer camp and afterschool program at West Buncombe Elementary. Mackie goes on to write, “I was informed that I was going to act as Adam’s 1-on-1 support person for summer camp and afterschool because he had been removed from several other programs due to his behaviors. What I realize now is that the biggest reason for those removals was due to the lack of understanding. Adam has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) which makes it difficult for him to regulate his emotions and communicate how he is feeling.

“Our relationship slowly grew as Adam learned that I was going to play a constant role in his life and as I learned more about him as an individual. I learned that he loved to build, has a strong desire to try new things, a passion for being outside, and a hilarious sense of humor. I worked closely with Adam’s mom and his teachers in developing daily schedules and behavior plans to get him the care and socialization that he longs for. I have become a voice for him as I listen to his needs and make sure that they are all met. Adam has been the most rewarding aspect of my year of service and has given me so much inspiration and joy.”

Adam was just one of the 1,200 students who could have fallen through the cracks were it not for the dedication of the Children First/CIS Project POWER AmeriCorps team members who provided much-needed one-on-one support. And many of the team members continue giving back to the community even once their term of service is completed, oftentimes becoming staff members of the schools and non-profits where they served, thus being able to continue to forge the strong bonds they created with the students.

Children First/CIS is currently accepting applications for Team 20 of its Project POWER/AmeriCorps. You can be the change you want to see in the world and join the Project POWER/AmeriCorps Team 20. Applicants must be 18 years or older. To apply, go to childrenfirstcisbc.org/programs/project-power or contact Ashley Maney at 828-335-8247 AshleyM@childrenfirstbc.org.