AmeriCorps Member Spotlight: Deborah James, Weatherly Area School District in Carbon County
Meet Deborah James, an AmeriCorps Community Resource Navigator (CRN) representing United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) at Weatherly Area School District in Carbon County. CRNs are stationed at host sites where they meet with community members to coordinate resource referrals in the areas of housing, employment, transportation, medical, financial and stability. The navigator follows each individual from assessment of need to service linkage to monitoring and support to help them access and follow through with referrals.
Deborah serves as a mentor for students, providing a supportive environment for them. She has also created a Think Happy Box to encourage the spread of happy thoughts and feelings among the students. She is particularly proud of her work with a student who had refused help in the past and is now thriving. Deborah’s future goals are to continue her work in the school district and be able to help her community more.
AmeriCorps is a national service program administered by PennSERVE (Pennsylvania’s State Service Commission), enrolling individuals in national community service positions. AmeriCorps members represent the best of America, tirelessly serving people and communities across the country.
UWGLV is proud to have AmeriCorps members serve in various positions to gain professional experience. Members work closely with United Way staff and assignments are based in the UWGLV office, school districts and nonprofit organizations throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley.