President George W. Bush will meet Zack Dietrich when he arrives in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Friday, November 1, 2002. Dietrich is an AmeriCorps VISTA member who has spent the last year working with Rockingham Community Action.

In his State of the Union address, President Bush called on all Americans to dedicate at least two years over their lifetimes to service to their communities, our country and the world. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country who are answering the call to service and will recognize Dietrich as an example of the dedication to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans through his USA Freedom Corps initiative.

Having participated in food and clothing drives, park programs, and working with civic organizations as a volunteer during high school and college, Dietrich chose AmeriCorps VISTA when he graduated from college as an opportunity to give back while exploring the issues that interest him. Dietrich has been an AmeriCorps VISTA member with The Adult Learning and Employment Marketplace for Rockingham Community Action (RCA) for the past year, and will finish his year of service next week. Through RCA, Dietrich has worked with local businesses to bridge the gap for those seeking employment, managed cases for clients seeking additional job and skills training, and helped with life skills workshops that offer lessons on financial management and finding and maintaining housing.

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster an American culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities to protect our homeland, support our communities and extend American compassion around the world. Interested volunteers can find information on the USA Freedom Corps at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-Corps.

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