See the Impact: AmeriCorps Member Spotlights
Every March during AmeriCorps Week, we recognize the commitment of the millions of Americans who have chosen to serve their country through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors, and encourage others to follow in their footsteps of service. AmeriCorps members who are serving with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) and our partner agencies accomplish so much during their service terms.
Yahira Davis, an AmeriCorps member serving at Unidos in Allentown, shares, “I have been creating 1,500 drug prevention kits, which include cotton balls, condoms, alcohol pads and petroleum jelly along with wound care kits, for those who are actively using intravenously. My team and I have also begun delivering desktops to families in need.”
“During my time serving as a VISTA, I find one of our major roles is to come into a nonprofit with fresh eyes and assess what needs we have the capacity to fulfill,” states Emily Snyder, AmeriCorps VISTA, serving at Ripple Community Center in Allentown. “While here at Ripple, we ran a program where students studying psychology would intern and run an art circle. When the art program ended unexpectedly, I decided to take over. Our members come to Ripple to escape their current situations, and art is an amazing way to do so while connecting with others and relieving stress.”
Kayla Chavez, an AmeriCorps Community Mentor serving at Hays Elementary School, a United Way Community School in the Allentown School District, is helping students and their families understand the importance of everyday attendance by providing bilingual resources. “I am running Lunch Bunches to really connect with the students. After lunch, we discuss an afterschool checklist that I created to help them build routines at home. I also recently created an informational attendance magnet for the school to pass out to the student body to highlight the importance of good attendance and the Allentown School District’s attendance policy.”
AmeriCorps members are vital to our work, and UWGLV is proud to have 20 AmeriCorps members serving in various positions to gain professional experience. Anyone interested in joining the AmeriCorps members serving in the Greater Lehigh Valley can visit our Employment page.