This week, CIANA joined thousands of Americans across the country to celebrate the valuable contributions of the AmeriCorps members who pledge to “get things done” for our nation as part of the annual AmeriCorps Week.
Every year, 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve through more than 20,000 schools, nonprofits, and community and faith-based organizations across the country. These citizens have played a critical role in the recovery of communities affected by natural disasters like Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, Harvey, and Maria. They also tutor and mentor young people, connect veterans to jobs, care for seniors, reduce crime and revive cities, fight the opioid epidemic, and meet other critical needs.
For the past two years, as well as in 2017, CIANA has hosted three AmeriCorps VISTAs, members of an AmeriCorps program intended to alleviate the effects of poverty across the United States.
The NYIC VISTA program specifically, administered by the Ne w York Immigration Coalition, focuses on immigrant communities throughout New York State. CIANA’s AmeriCorps NYIC VISTAs have overseen CIANA’s volunteer programming, data management, communications, and fundraising strategy. All three VISTAs were vital to enhancing CIANA’s ability to serve the local immigrant population in Astoria, Queens.
“We are proud to be part of AmeriCorps and grateful for the AmeriCorps members who are getting things done for Astoria, for Queens, and for New York City as a whole,” said Kim Iboy, CIANA’s Case Manager and Outreach Coordinator. “Our VISTAs have made a significant impact on CIANA’s ability to meet the growing needs of the immigrant communities we are dedicated to serving.”
The Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency responsible for AmeriCorps, marked the 25th anniversary of the program last fall, saluting the more than 1.1 million Americans who have pledged to “get things done” since the program’s inception in 1994.
Together, they have provided more than 1.6 billion hours of service and earned $4 billion in education scholarships to pay for college or pay back student loans.
A growing body of research shows that service has an effect on more than just the communities served, but also on the members themselves. AmeriCorps alumni credit their year of service for developing leadership skills that bridges divides, solves problems, and opens doors to opportunities that advance their careers and education.
To join the celebration, follow AmeriCorps on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and join the conversation by sharing pictures and stories on Twitter, using #MadeinAmeriCorps and #AmeriCorpsWorks. Those interested in joining AmeriCorps can learn more at AmeriCorps.gov/join.
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About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation's volunteering and service efforts. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.