There was a point in my life when I didn’t know what conservation was. That changed when I joined AmeriCorps. Through AmeriCorps I’ve completed several environmental cleanup and restoration projects, which have opened my eyes and helped me see how all of us affect society and nature. I’m now more conscious and knowledgeable about the materials I use and what I eat.

After graduating from Howard University where the motto is, “Truth and Service,” I didn’t want to chase a corporate dream. I wanted to help other children achieve their dreams. I joined AmeriCorps to continue upholding the lifelong commitment to service that was instilled in me. I serve because I was served. Now, I have the pleasure of working with Kid Power, Inc. and partnering with a local school in Washington, D.C. as a Community and Resource Coordinator. I develop and implement curriculum, and help address the financial, physiological and psychological hardships faced by my students and their families. I thought my lifelong pursuit of education would lead me down a different path, but the impact my students have had on my life has caused me to consider a path in social work, public health or another year in AmeriCorps!

I’ve always had a passion for service, and Habitat for Humanity and affordable housing were things I was always interested in. Serving as an AmeriCorps member for Habitat for Humanity has confirmed to me that public service is part of the big picture for my life. I still remember the first time I saw a homeowner settling into his new home after a build. It felt great to witness first-hand the difference I was making in someone’s life.  

I want to continue helping people grow, as opposed to just helping companies grow their bottom lines. I want to improve lives. And because of AmeriCorps, I no longer look at service as just something you do while you’re completing a project. It’s not just a one-off thing. It’s a way of life. I now always look for opportunities to help people in everyday situations, with everyday tasks. AmeriCorps has completely transformed my attitude about what it means to give back.

As a person dedicated to advancing my future career in public health through an extensive focus in academic studies, a position with AmeriCorps has allowed self-growth and valuable opportunities. My interests in serving the community have inspired an enthusiasm for continuing the path to better serve local communities to a global level for the overall greater good. As a VISTA, I am able utilize my skills to serve underrepresented people while strengthening my knowledge and relationship with my community through teamwork, community involvement and service learning. My current studies and pursuit of higher education in the field of public health reinforces my dedication to serving my community as an integral part of my life.

Mr. Chanh Vo was born and raised in Vietnam and lived there with his wife and children until 1991. When political persecution and economic hardship made staying in Vietnam impossible, the Humanitarian Operation program relocated Chanh and his family to the United States. They settled in Seattle, where Chanh joined Senior Corps in 1993. He has served in the Homage Senior Services Senior Companion program for 25 years, assisting elder members of the Seattle Vietnamese community in aging with dignity in their own homes. Chanh’s fellow volunteers state that his “energy and passion for caring for others is infectious,” and his enthusiasm for national service has impacted his community for the better.  Chanh embodies the spirit of Senior Corps, and on the 25th Anniversary of National Service, we are especially grateful for volunteers like him.

Josh Cunningham

Josh Cunningham’s service journey began in AmeriCorps NCCC where he served as a Corps Member on the fire management team. He later served in AmeriCorps as a Water Quality Assistant for the Town of Farragut, TN. These experiences played a unique role in Josh’s personal and professional development and continue to serve him years later. He says, “AmeriCorps [...] showed me I was capable of doing work much more difficult than I believed I could, and it also made me realize my days aren't truly fulfilling unless I’m actively working to serve those in my community and in my country. AmeriCorps provided me with tangible professional skills and, perhaps more importantly, the drive to continue to be of service to others.” Today, Josh uses the experiences he gained in AmeriCorps to serve his country at the Department of Energy in Oak Ridge, TN, where he is a National Nuclear Security Administration Fellow.

Velma Osborn

Senior Corps RSVP volunteer Velma Osborn started volunteering in the 1950’s. She specifically remembers a day in 1953 when she volunteered at St. Mary’s Hospital. One of the Sisters approached Velma after noticing the wonderful work she was doing and asked if she was interested in adoption. That’s how Velma and her husband were able to adopt their first child - through volunteering. “I’ve been volunteering all of my life; I don’t know any different,” said Velma when asked what motivated her to volunteer. She is the definition of a lifelong volunteer; it runs in her blood and she enjoys her work.

Currently, Velma volunteers at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, assists with the American Red Cross bloodmobiles, and creates personal items for local agencies. She makes bathrobes for the Wounded Warriors, pillows for people in wheelchairs, fidget quilts for those with Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, and more. Her items, especially the fidget quilts, have become popular throughout the area and have helped many individuals.

Velma has been a RSVP volunteer for 25 years and is 91 years young. She hopes future generations embrace volunteering as she has over the years. She enjoys the work, feels that it’s where she is needed, and appreciates the opportunity to socialize with fellow volunteers.

Ray Thompson

In 1999, after recovering from a coma, Senior Corps RSVP Volunteer Clarence Ray Thompson decided to spend his time working for a soldier and his family. Ray, a retired Special Forces Soldier who served in the Vietnam War, has been volunteering with the Fort Riley American Red Cross and the Irwin Army Community Hospital for the past 20 years; earning respect, appreciation, and recognition along the way. In 2016, Ray was recognized with the Tribute to Heroes: Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Red Cross. While he displays several of his awards and keeps many more pieces of recognition on file in a briefcase, the Lifetime Achievement Award is his favorite moment.

Prior to his current role as Hospital Liaison, Ray had the opportunity to work in the medical ward for many years. While in the ward, he assisted hospital staff as best he could with paperwork, room changes, and any other task need to make things run smoothly. His leadership and passion for the hospital eventually led him to the front welcome desk and into the roll as Hospital Liaison. “My job is easy- I see people, I help people, and I sit at the help desk. I have 28 volunteers and no problems. I assist with emergencies as needed and I do my paperwork.”

Ray has been a RSVP volunteer for nearly 12 years.

#IamSeniorCorps: United Way RSVP of Northwest Indiana Show they Care

For years, Senior Corps’ United Way RSVP of Northwest Indiana volunteers have collected, sorted, and packaged items to be donated to food pantries, homeless shelters, and women’s shelters. They have also created care packages that were sent to veterans and military families. In 2017, they collected over 5,000 handcrafted gifts and toiletry items that were made into more than 800 care packages.