Finding Myself through Service

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
-Mahatma Gandhi 

I graduated from Indiana University in 2004 with degrees in Political Science and Anthropology, a new boyfriend whom I believed I just might marry someday, and nary a clue as to what I wanted to do with my life. So essentially I was a lot like everyone else.

I guess I had a general sense of wanting to do something creative; maybe work in a museum, maybe not. I liked kids a whole lot, but I’d spent some time student teaching in elementary schools and knew that wasn’t for me. Maybe I’d become a museum educator, but what if I disliked that, too? I couldn’t tell you what I wanted to do with my life, but I’d gotten pretty good at sorting out the things I could never do. Banking. Lawyering. Accounting. No no and no.

I have no recollection of making the decision to join AmeriCorps, but once the idea came I held it tightly. Summoning a fearlessness that wasn’t like me at all, I applied for programs far away from my home – Habitat for Humanity in Colorado, trail-building in Louisiana, and after-school literacy in California. I could visualize myself pounding nails, meeting new friends, and being on my own, really and truly, for the first time in my life. I thought the time away would give me some clarity and point me toward a career doing…something.

I interviewed with all three AmeriCorps programs but ultimately chose one in Santa Rosa, California, where I’d serve as Team Leader for an after-school program, called CalSERVES, in an at-risk school. I didn’t have an apartment or a car, nor did I know anyone. Assured by the team there that it would all work itself out, I said goodbye to my dad, my sister, my boyfriend, and my home, and flew into San Francisco. I’d never been to San Francisco.

I boarded the bus to Santa Rosa and, once there, was picked up by a fellow volunteer. I spent the next three weeks training by day and couch-surfing by night. The worst was when I woke up in the middle of the night one time to find my co-worker’s weird roommate staring at me in the dark. The best was when I got to house-sit for an out-of-town teacher and had the place to myself. I subsisted on hummus and phone calls from friends and family. I was homesick and wondering why I hadn’t just taken a job at the mall until I figured the rest of it out.

Eventually the training ended, I found a place to stay, and I bought a little red Ford Aspire without power steering. I wound up loving my classroom and the students in it. I have amazing memories of playing Paul Simon for the kids while they did art projects, being thanked with hand-picked flowers by the parents of a challenging student, and labeling and creating a database of books in the classroom’s library.

I also participated in five National Days of Service, doing things like cleaning the school’s garden in the rain, picking up trash along a road in town, walking in the Human Race, and pulling out an old fence in a new city park. The work was hard and by the end of the day I was bone-tired, but those memories make me smile.

More than that, I learned to be resourceful and independent. I learned how to connect with people who had little in common with me, and how to work around difficult personalities. I also learned to live on what barely passes as an income. Bars and restaurants and other outings were out of the question, so I made do with nights in playing board games. It was during this time that I learned to cook.

By the time my year in AmeriCorps was over, I’d applied to and earned acceptance into a Museum Studies program in England. I figured that if I could move across the country sight unseen I could move across the pond. I sometimes think that California was a bigger adjustment for this small-town girl than Europe was.

I now hold a position in Development at UCLA, which I love. It’s often struck me that during every interview I’ve ever had I’m asked to talk about something I’m most proud of. Of all the things I’ve done, of all the things I could talk about, I inevitably go back to my time with CalSERVES.

Oh, and I did marry that boy.

by Loni Rocchio, CalSERVES AmeriCorps Alumnus

Making a Difference: Sonoma County

This is the final post in a series of 4 in which we will be highlighting the amazing efforts of CalSERVES Programs in their Make a Difference Day projects. Each project involved a host of AmeriCorps members and volunteers and provided needed services to the communities in which are programs are hosted.

October 26th was Make a Difference Day, and CalSERVES AmeriCorps members throughout Sonoma County enthusiastically joined together to create a change in their local communities. In projects that ranged from renovating school gardens to supporting a local charity, our members volunteered their time, their energy, and their resources.

The morning and early afternoon was busy and productive for all CalSERVES AmeriCorps members, but we weren’t done for the day. Instead, we joined forces with the Santa Rosa YMCA to help support a Halloween carnival that evening, where thirteen of our members from all over the county, welcoming local families to celebrate the holiday in a safe and fun way.

Some members manned the haunted house, where they could scare gigging children, or helped set up squishy spaghetti guts, gooey grape eyeballs, or spooky skeletons. Some kept a close eye on the silliness that was flying off the walls, ceiling, and floor of the bouncy house. Others designed bright and colorful posters, or artfully organized and restocked a crafts table. Even more spent the evening helping the multitude of game booths, setting them up so families could knock ‘em down! Our members were invited to dress up while volunteering, but in an embarrassing coincidence, they all wore the same costume: an eager and committed AmeriCorps member. Next year we’ll have to make sure we coordinate our costumes more efficiently!

 Two weeks later, Bellevue Elementary got to have a slightly delayed Make a Difference Day! Team Leader Vicente Sosa said:

Make a Difference Day at Bellevue was by far one of the most successful and rewarding experiences I have ever encountered in my service with CalSERVES. The most inspiring aspect of Beautify Bellevue was having Bellevue teachers and staff, along with Stony Point Academy Students, join our vision. One of the other CalSERVES sites, Kawana Elementary, even came to pitch in! We worked in sync and attacked every part of our school site in teams, from painting murals and repainting playground guidelines to weeding and planting our garden. The laughs, smiles and hearts of our community came together on Saturday, November 9th to help our school site.

 We would like to thank a few organizations and individuals that donated to helping us succeed on our many Make a Difference Day projects: Sherwin-Williams, Kelly Moore, Café des Croissants, Cavalier Bakery, and Clara Crews. It takes a whole community to make a difference, and we're grateful to have joined them in that effort.

By Elizabeth Sheffer, Sonoma County AmeriCorps Regional Leader

CalSERVES Makes a Difference: Taylor Mountain

This is the third post in a series of 4 in which we will be highlighting the amazing efforts of CalSERVES Programs in their Make a Difference Day projects. Each project involved a host of AmeriCorps members and volunteers and provided needed services to the communities in which are programs are hosted.

With only a small team on Make a Difference Day, Taylor Mountain had the challenge of accomplishing some big projects! We all worked really hard together and had great communication and spirit. We never lost sight of our goal that day, to get the garden ready for new planting. We worked while laughing, talking and sometimes just quietly getting the job done. We took out most of the weeds that were around our classrooms, as well as pruning the rose bush that the principal had requested. Because of the much-needed trim, we found a fire hydrant and memorial plaque!

 
We also cleared all of the unruly plants and bushes that were growing next to our classroom and the back area near our shed. This area was so out of control that we accumulated ten whole garbage bags of weeds and overgrown plants! The garden area was shaped up and cleared, making way for the plants and harvest. In the end, Taylor Mountain looked more presentable and clean. A couple teachers who were working in their classrooms encouraged us as we were working; it was really nice to hear. We ended the day proud of the work that we accomplished, and left with a tired but happy attitude –we knew that we made a difference that day.

By Yesenia Garcia,  Taylor Mountain AmeriCorps Team Leader

CalSERVES Makes a Difference:

This is the second post in a series of 4 in which we will be highlighting the amazing efforts of CalSERVES Programs in their Make a Difference Day projects. Each project involved a host of AmeriCorps members and volunteers and provided needed services to the communities in which are programs are hosted.

As the sun rose over sleepy Wright Charter School, it found AmeriCorps members rising too- to the occasion that is! They stood shivering in their sweatshirts and coffee mugs staring over a patch – nay, a boundless field – of weeds that needed to be disposed of. It wouldn’t be an easy job, nor a clean one, but the members knew it was up to them to do it…for America.

Fueled on by the inspiring lyrics of TLC and the Spice girls, the sun watched as KC Balagey, Rebecca Stewart, Augustine Stav, Emily Thiebold, and Megan Waring battled against the weeds that threatened the beauty of their beloved tutoring site. Their fearless leader, Taylor Ford, fought through a torn ACL to weed, rake, and hoe alongside them. Throughout the day, AmeriCorps Leads, Elizabeth Sheffer and Chris Rogers, stopped by to journalize the event. When their arms began to feel weak and no one wanted to see another dandelion again, CalSERVES Counselor, Clare McGuire, joined them-working her hands to shreds. Lauren Loeffler, Site Supervisor of Kawana, appeared picking up her own shovel. Alongside her was Wally, the faithful dog, who lifted everyone’s morale to continue the grueling work of beautifying a forgotten plot.

The hero of the day would have to be Auggie Stav, who worked tirelessly to clear more then his share of stubborn weeds. His hard work and dedication to the project was extremely appreciated and it is doubtful it would have been half as successful without him. 

At the end of the day of service, everyone was sweaty, covered in dirt, and sore. However, twelve wheelbarrows full of weeds had been exported to compost piles. The place looked tidier, healthier, and significantly emptier- ready for new seedlings to grow.

 
The day was an overall success with the only causalities being exhaustion and slight sunburn. Wright (and America) was left having taken a slight step forward to becoming their best selves and making a difference for this school on this day.

Also, we saw a mouse.

By Megan Waring, Wright Charter AmeriCorps Team Leader

CalSERVES Makes a Difference: RL Stevens

Over the next 4 days, we will be highlighting the amazing efforts of CalSERVES Programs in their Make a Difference Day projects. Each project involved a host of AmeriCorps members and volunteers and provided needed services to the communities in which are programs are hosted.

There is work to do at RL Stevens!

  When it came to the planning of Make a Difference Day 2013 at RL Stevens, there was a lot to be done! Old rotting raised garden beds needed replacing, a fading map of the world on the blacktop needed repainting, and garden beds throughout the school were in desperate need of mulch. With a few generous donations, we gathered the materials for the two projects we chose to focus on: the raised garden beds and the overall need for mulch. Our Make a Difference Day began a day early when first thing Friday morning 10 cubic yards of steaming mulch was dumped in our parking lot. We knew we had our work cut out for us Saturday morning. Carrying tools borrowed from the Santa Rosa Tool Library and fueled by coffee donated by Starbucks, we got to work.

 Craig Jacques led the battle against the old raised beds in the garden. He was joined by Christian Andersen – the 6th grade teacher at RL Stevens, Jesus Guerrero, and Sean Fitzgerald. They removed old beds, broke up the existing dirt with pick axes and build new raised beds!

Margo Addison, a teacher and Literacy Specialist at RL, gets to work with mulch!

Mulch, mulch, mulch everywhere! It was truly mulch madness. The RL mulch team included Emily Chambers, Gaspar Oregon, Rachel Dillin, Ana Hernandez, and Carmen Wandel. We were joined by our principal - Lori Pola Hoard, our literacy specialist - Margo Addison, and Melissa Moore. We had 10 yards of mulch to spread throughout the school. Luckily our numbers doubled with the addition of Meadow View tutors Zack Edwards, Brenda Diaz, Corie Emery, Jena Preston and their tireless leader NightSnow Vogt!

New garden beds.

After four hours of hard work we still weren't done, as our numbers began to dwindle those remaining really picked up the pace to finish what we had started. Sweaty and dirty, the last people standing Emily, Craig, Ana, and Jesus went home tired but feeling accomplished!

By Emily Chambers, RL Stevens Elementary AmeriCorps Team Leader

Celebrating 15 Years of Passion, Potential, and Power

On May 10, the CalSERVES family had the privilege of commemorating our 15 year anniversary at the Arlene Francis Center in Santa Rosa.  Over 100 current AmeriCorps members and staff, AmeriCorps alumni, and community supporters came to celebrate the program’s history and to welcome its future. The energy in the room was tangible as our guests caught up with each other and shared their passion for CalSERVES.

Welcome to the Alumi Club!

It has taken the service and dedication of thousands of AmeriCorps members and staff to make our work possible over these past 15 years.  We're incredibly thankful to all who have given their time to CalSERVES, and especially grateful to the founding group that made it all possible.

Having a great time!

 At the event, we presented the CalSERVES Community Partner Founder Award to three women who helped spark the program 15 years ago: Margo Addison, Ellen Desmond, and Emma Charlebois. We also presented Kathy Chosa with the Passion, Potential, Power award in recognition for her many years of service on staff and as an AmeriCorps member during the first program year.  Last but not least, we were proud to honor our fearless leader Julie McClure, whose passion for serving students and families has and continues to empower and inspire us all to make a difference.

Julie McClure and Award Recipients.

by Sara Sitch, CalSERVES Program Manager

Join the AmeriCorps Team!

CalSERVES recruitment is in high gear for the 2013-2014 school year! We have all kinds of positions (hands on with kids, leadership roles, volunteer programs), and different schedules (full-time or part-time). There are plenty of ways to be involved and serve the community!

AmeriCorps Service Scholars

Service Scholars serve part time, 25 hours a week, providing small group tutoring to kids in the After School Program. Each Scholar specializes either Literacy (Reading and Writing), STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), or Healthy Behaviors (Nutrition and Physical Education). They plan and implement lessons for students with the goal of helping them be successful in academics and in life. These Service Scholars form close bonds with their students, and provide support and mentoring.

Learn more about the position and apply by visiting the CalSERVES Website.

AmeriCorps Leaders

There are several full time (42+ hours a week) leadership positions available in CalSERVES. We have Service Scholar leaders at each of our After School Sites who oversee the tutoring programs and provide leadership and support to the Service Scholars. There are also Regional Leaders for the After School programs who are involved in supporting several programs. There are also Content Leaders - folks who specialize in our Content Areas (Literacy, STEM, Healthy Behaviors) that help train tutors and support the development of resources for their specific areas.

Learn more about these positions and apply by visiting the CalSERVES Website.

Volunteer Programs AmeriCorps Leaders

CalSERVES runs statewide volunteer programs. We have opportinties to engage in community service all throughout California. These positions are full time (42+ hours a week).
Learn more about these positions and apply by visiting the CalSERVES Website.

Benefits for AmeriCorps Service

You might have heard about some of the benefits of AmeriCorps Service - an Education Award ($5,550.00 for a full time member) at the completion of service, a living stipend while you serve, extensive training, Alumni support and services... Learn more about the benefits to you by visiting the CalSERVES Website- Benefits of Service.

Questions?

What is AmeriCorps? Who is eligible to serve in AmeriCorps? Can I defer student loans while I serve? Find the answers to these questions and more on the CalSERVES Website - FAQ's about Service.

Can't find the answer on our website? Contact our friendly staff at americorps@calserves.org!

Employment

CalSERVES is also hiring staff for office positions and After School Classroom Leaders. Learn more about these opportunities on the CalSERVES Website - Employment.

It is in Giving that We Receive

 I came to the CalSERVES program as an AmeriCorps scholar with the intent to serve my community. Because I moved to Sonoma County straight out of high school, I wanted to be part of a localized movement and see what this place was really all about. Little did I know that this job would soon change my entire outlook on life.

I wake up each morning with send of purpose, pride and belonging. It has been my time spent serving others, particularly the youth in my community, which has brought deeper meaning and fulfillment to my life. Being able to support kids in their academic and emotional needs has helped me to better define my own personal values and goals in life.

 After the short year I have spent working within this community, I am sure that my direction in life has completely changed---and for the better too! Through this experience, I have realized that being of service to others and my community will always play a huge role in my life. I wouldn’t trade the last year of my life for the world and I am grateful to know that working for CalSERVES AmeriCorps has completely transformed my life.

by Samantha Bereman, AmeriCorps Literacy Scholar at Wright Charter

All Are Welcome at Wright "The Farm"

An AmeriCorps member reads to a child as part of the CalSERVES program.

If I’ve learned anything at CalSERVES, it’s how to be “inclusive.” Deriving, undoubtedly from the Tribes curriculum, it’s one of our favorite buzzwords. The word encourages not only students but also adults to make one another feel comfortable in a group setting. For new comers, it’s always awkward to insert themselves into an established group. “Inclusion” efforts take the stress and anxiety out of this equation. Why in the world does this matter? Is this even relevant to our year at CalSERVES? I would like to take a minute to thank each and every member of Wright's CalSERVES (#thefarm’s) team for putting this into practice.

 A few months ago, we were lucky enough to gain two new members. Prior to that, in October we adopted another new member. During both of these occasions, I was so gratified to see the rest of the team rally around our new members. They introduced themselves, participated in their training, allowed the new girls to shadow them, anything! At a point where it seemed that one extra thing would break us, these new additions made us stronger. The girls added energy. They kept everyone on their toes.

Thank you, Wright team. You’ve all impressed me to no end. It’s incredible to see, even though you’re stretched to your limits, you all still extend a hand. Wherever you all end up, never forget the power of kindness.

by Lauren Loeffler, AmeriCorps Team Leader at Wright Charter School

Plenty of Reasons to Celebrate

We’re getting excited for our 15th Anniversary Celebration – just one week away!

With a decade and a half under the CalSERVES belt, we’ve gone through a handful of name changes, have seen programs grow, change, and develop, and have watched our dedicated AmeriCorps and staff alumni move on to be game-changers in the social, public, and education sectors.

As we as a staff look back on our history, we’re filled with a deep sense of all that we have to celebrate. Jacqueline Rocha, a former AmeriCorps team member recently shared a heart-warming story story with us that demonstrates the many aspects of our program that we’re celebrating this year. Take a look:

“I began as a part-time mentor at Taylor Mountain in 2010. I was assigned the fourth grade cool school class and a partner named Kim. My first year I made amazing friends and got to know some incredible kids. I fell in love with those fourth graders. They were so hard to handle but absolutely worth it. Kim and I became friends too. We shared our frustrations and our successes. I followed my students into fifth grade the following year and got to work one-on-one with many of them as a tutor. It never got easy, but the rewards keep on coming. I still visit Taylor Mountain as often as I can. My students still get excited to see me, tell me about the books they are reading and ask if I am coming back for good. I will be volunteering with those once-fourth-graders at their sixth grade camp in just a few weeks. Next month I will attending Kim's wedding with many other past mentors. I could not have predicted how rich my experience with CalSERVES would be and I am so grateful for it.”

We’re proud of the impact and connections we make in our programs. Thank you, Jacqueline, for sharing your great story – we’re excited to celebrate the achievements of program alumni like you Arlene Francis Center next Friday!

If you haven’t yet purchased tickets to our event, it’s not too late! We have just a couple of tickets left. You can register online at www.calserves.org. 

15 Years of CalSERVES Programs

CalSERVES is gearing up to celebrate our 15th Anniversary. That's a lot of AmeriCorps members who have served in our programs. We would love to hear your stories of service! The first 10 people who share their stories through completing an online survey will recieve a FREE ticket to our 15th Anniversary Event. Share your story here.

For more details about the event and to register, visit our website: www.calserves.org. Information is on the home page.

Canstruction: Reading Around the Camp Fire

This past weekend, several of CalSERVES AmeriCorps members gathered at Coddingtown Mall to participate in this year’s Canstruction event.

 Canstruction is a design and build competition where participants create structures made out of canned food. The mission of Canstruction is to bring awareness about and canned foods to, the men, women, and children in our community who need food assistance.

Wanting to stay true to the CalSERVES vision and mission, our team built a structure that displayed four children sitting around a camp fire reading books.

 
In total, over 700 cans (480 of which were donated by Whole Foods Market) were used to build our structure.

 The structures will be on display at Cooddingtown Mall until April 27. All the canned food used in building the structures will be donated to the Redwood Empire Food Bank.

By: Jacquelene Bennett, AmeriCorps Literacy Content Leader

Martin Luther King Jr. Day On, Not Off 2013

 “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What Are You Doing for Others?’”

-Martin Luther King Jr.

On Monday morning, AmeriCorps members all gathered in the main building of Catholic Charities. Everyone was eager to get to work due to the amount of work that needed to be done. With the sun brightly shining, the members got right to work on a variety of projects that were all physically demanding.

There were a lot of members who worked on cleaning up the community garden, which meant there was lots of pulling of weeds from the garden beds, shoveling up weeds from the ground, and raking out the extra leaves. Other members were hard at work cutting down rose bushes and cleaning up the excess amount of shrubs around the buildings.

Another group of members cleaned out the front area of the drop-in building, which is very busy throughout the week. A few members also helped out inside the buildings by answering phones, cleaning, and making sandwiches for the residents. AmeriCorps member Lavonne Toso said of her experience: "I really enjoyed talking to the different people that were living there or using the resources given by Catholic Charities."

 Other members moved furniture out of rooms so that they could be painted. The work didn’t just stop at Catholic Charities because there was another group who went to Julliard Park to landscape, plant, and cleanup the area. AmeriCorps member Alex Rowan said of the work at Julliard Park: "From weeding to planting ferns around the park, we all felt great getting our hands dirty and giving back to the community."

 During this rewarding time of service, there were smiles, laughter, and joyous conversations happening everywhere. The CalSERVES AmeriCorps team really came together to get things done for America and to follow through with the vision of Martin Luther King Jr. AmeriCorps member Ashley Schalich noted: "I really enjoyed seeing how much our group accomplished in such a short amount of time - everyone worked together to make a noticeable, significant change for our local community."

 Working together for a greater cause is not unusual for this team and after seeing the difference that their services provided on this day, it’s clear that these members continually serve their community straight from their heart.

 Martin Luther King Jr. said it best: “Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” 

by Sandra Hwang, CalSERVES AmeriCorps Leader

A Day On, Not a Day Off for CalSERVES

On January 21,2013, CalSERVES will be partnering with Catholic Charities and the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County to provide service for the community.

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and
should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”

With Dr. King’s words in mind, AmeriCorps members will be assisting several projects including:

• Painting the dining room, scrubbing and reorganizing the kitchen, creating intake packets, shredding items, and garden maintenance at the family support center; 
• Providing landscaping work for Julliard Park and Catholic Charities’ complex; 
• Clearing bushes, weeds, and cigarette butts at a homeless service center.

For this group of dedicated AmeriCorps members, it will truly be a
Martin Luther King Day On, Not a Day Off.

Meet the Team Leaders: Sara Craige

Sara Craige, CalSERVES Team Leader at Bellevue

Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sara Craige is the Team Leader at Bellevue Elementary School and this is her second year working in the CalSERVES program. She graduated in 2011 from Penn State University with a degree in Elementary Education and applied to CalSERVES in order to make a difference in children’s lives.

This year, Sara hopes to gain new relationships with her team members and pass down her experience as a veteran AmeriCorps member to the rest of her team at Bellevue. Sara is also striving to grow professionally in the education field and gain experience working with kids for her future career goals.

As for her new position as a Team Leader, Sara states that she loves everything about her job, especially getting to bounce from grade to grade and work with kids of all ages. Sara likes both the creativity and the challenges that come up in her position - she loves coming up with new ideas, activities, and different ways to present information to the classroom leaders and the AmeriCorps Scholars.

Additionally, Sara immensely enjoys working with the entire Bellevue team. She appreciates how different each AmeriCorps member and classroom leader is and how much they have to offer the students at Bellevue. She states that every team member is always looking out for each other and always supporting each other which makes for a coherent and friendly team dynamic. Sara is also grateful that she gets to work with such an inspirational, dedicated, hilarious, creative, and determined supervising teacher. She says that they have a great partnership that is always keeping the team and students’ best interest at heart.

During her time in CalSERVES, Sara hopes to inspire the students she works with to become the best possible version of themselves. She wants to show her kids that there are so many opportunities out there for them and that high school isn't the end, that there is a whole world out there filled with possibilities and opportunities. She wants to show her students that they can achieve any goal or dream that they have with hard work, dedication, and confidence in themselves.

As for advice for future Team Leaders or Service Scholars, Sara says:

• Wear sneakers on Wednesdays because you will be running the mile
• Dance whenever there is music playing because kids will join you and it will always put a smile on your face
• You will encounter "garbage juice" from the trash cans at snack so just remember to wash your hands
• Color coordinate with your team (it’s fun and shows unity)
• Pick a Starbucks near you and learn to love it cause you will stop by every morning
• If you go home with marker on you, chalk or remnants of snack it means you had a good day
• Appreciate your team members every day, cause you'll need things from them and the more you show them love the easier it is to work with them!

By: Jacquelene Bennett, AmeriCorps Content Leader and Sara Craige, AmeriCorps Team Leader, Bellevue Elementary

Meet the Team Leaders: Allison Hunter

Allison Hunter, CalSERVES Team Leader at RL Stevens

My name is Allison Hunter and I’m 23 years old. I was raised in Petaluma by my mother and father and have always loved the country life. I speak four languages and have a deep passion for travel, culture, and of course, teaching! I attended UC Santa Cruz where I received my bachelors in American History with a focus on Latin America. While in Santa Cruz I was also the lead teacher at Little Legends Preschool. After finishing school I moved back up to Sonoma County and started looking for a new job. After some failed searching my sister told me that some people from a place called CalSERVES came to her school at Sonoma State to talk about what the program and she thought, “Hey, my sister would love that!” After a bit of my own research I had to agree with her and I applied right away! I signed up as a literacy tutor but in the interview I was asked if I’d be interested in being the team leader and, of course, I was. I’ve always had leadership qualities and the fact that I get to exercise that leader part of me while also helping the kids is something that I’m enjoying thoroughly.

I hope that during my time here at Robert L. Stevens Elementary I can learn to be someone who has the ability to help both the tutors and tutees become everything they want to be. That may seem like a vague statement, but what I mean is that I want to be able to help my tutors not only hone their teaching skills but gain a life enriching experience while helping the children at my school gain the tools they need to be academically successful as well. For myself, I know this experience will give me the building blocks I need to shape a purposeful life for myself both professionally and personally. I’ve been very fortunate to have been teamed up with a fantastic group of AmeriCorps members and classroom leaders.

Everyone I’ve been working with is so driven and just as motivated as I am about helping children succeed in their scholastic endeavors. A lot of the people I’m working with are returners who worked for this program before and they have helped me feel right at home. Their prior knowledge of the students and the way things work here has been helpful in more ways than I could say. My site supervisor is a gem; she has been on site for years and knows all the ins and outs of this place. I also have come to build very pleasant relationships with the teachers on campus here. All in all, I’ve come to love this school – the kids, the teachers, my coworkers – everyone has contributed to make this a great experience.

After my service in CalSERVES I plan to leave the country to teach English abroad. I’m not sure where yet, but I know that I will be applying the skills I’ve learned at CalSERVES when teaching abroad next year (and for the rest of my life). I cannot sign off without giving some advice to anyone who is interested in being a team leader: there is never a dull moment and sometimes there’s more to do than one person can handle, but this experience is something that I would never want to take back. I’ve already learned so much about myself and how to interact with other people, and children. Every day is different and new, and the kids make your day never devoid of excitement. I wouldn’t change a thing!

By: Allison Hunter, AmeriCorps Team Leader, Robert L. Stevens Elementary

Meet the Team Leaders: Lauren Loeffler

Lauren Loeffler, CalSERVES Team Leader at Wright Charter School

Having first joined the CalSERVES family last year as a V.I.P, Lauren Loeffler is now the Team Leader at Wright Charter School. Her belief that that every person, whether they are tall, small, young, or old, deserves a chance to learn and have access to the proper tools that will enable that learning, is what first led Lauren to apply at CalSERVES and is what keeps her involved in the program.

After graduating from University of Minnesota, Duluth and suffering from what she calls an early quarter-life crisis, Lauren went to live in Florence, Italy where she worked as a travel guide for a travel company. While she enjoyed the job and loved traveling and experiencing the world, she knew something was missing in her life; she wanted to fill her time and put her energy into something more substantial and worthwhile. This desire and her interest in the education field led her to the CalSERVES program.

Lauren initially joined CalSERVES because the field of education not only interested her but concerned her as well. That is, she was, and still is, worried that due to budget cuts and other reasons, the United States has seen a decline in the quality of its education. Dedicated teachers are working hard to bridge the gaps and give children the education they deserve and need. However, there needs to be more resources and people willing to commit themselves to improving schools and learning for kids to thrive. Lauren, during her time at CalSERVES, wants to gain further experience so that she may continue working with those striving to improve the academic lives of America's students.

As a Team Leader, Lauren hopes to encourage independence by giving her students the tools they need to succeed. Despite how much she cares for the kids, Lauren doesn't want them to need the scholars or classroom leaders; she would rather see them do able to do everything on their own and help others in a similar situation. Additionally, Lauren loves how the entire team (AmeriCorps members, classroom leaders, and the school staff and administration as well) at Wright is so supportive and eager to help the students succeed. Lauren says she is proud of them and the work they are doing and absolutely loves working with them everyday.

As for advice for future Team Leaders or Service Scholars, Lauren says to get ready for an elaborate juggling act. The job requires you to do, and be, so much more than what is stated on the job description, but it is worth all the stress and tiredness you feel when you know you are helping students learn more and live better lives.

By: Jacquelene Bennett, AmeriCorps Content Leader and Lauren Loeffler, AmeriCorps Team Leader, Wright Charter School

Gratitude, CalTURKEY Style.

In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holidays, the CalSERVES staff wanted to show their appreciation for each school site by acknowledging the hard work and dedication that each site and their team makes for their students and schools on a daily basis.

When you think of the month of November, the first words that might come into mind are: Thanksgiving or maybe even turkey.

Now imagine this: You are sitting around the table on Thanksgiving and it’s that time when each person says what they are thankful for. Got that picture in your mind? Well, now imagine all of the people who work in the CalSERVES office sitting around the table and each one is saying how grateful they are for each school site. It’s almost like a little CalSERVES Thanksgiving!

Due to scheduling conflicts, there wasn’t enough time to actually have a CalSERVES Thanksgiving, but a few office members came up with the next best thing! The staff wanted to show how much they appreciated the school sites by creating a turkey-like figure using the CalSERVES logo and on each of the feathers, the members of the office wrote an appreciation for each of the schools.

Afterwards, a couple of members from the office delivered those CalTURKEYS. As stated on each turkey, we are TRULY thankful to all of the site supervisors, classroom leaders, AmeriCorps members, and volunteers!

The communities served are fortunate because of the time and passion that is put in by every member of each school site. Keep up the great work and keep being the change and positive difference that our communities need to help our students reach their full potential!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

By Sandra Hwang, CalSERVES Regional Leader

Meet the Team Leaders: Rebecca Dunckley

Rebecca Dunckley, CalSERVES Team Leader at Kawana Elementary

A local to the North Bay area and with first-hand experience on how after school programs can change a child’s life, Rebecca Dunckley is the Team Leader at Kawana Elementary School. This is Rebecca’s third year working for the CalSERVES program and her love for the program and how it positively impacts children’s lives is what has kept her involved with CalSERVES for so long.

As a team leader, Rebecca hopes to become an active and strong support system for her AmeriCorps members and wants to help them be great tutors/mentors for the students. She loves watching people work together and come up with creative ideas that can help the students grow and learn. As for working with the students, Rebecca wants to be a source of confidence for the kids; she wants to establish one-on-one relationships with her students and make them feel comfortable enough to go to her for help of any kind. Additionally, Rebecca is extremely excited and appreciative about the team at Kawana. She says that they have been tremendously patient with her as she learns and adjusts to the job as team leader. Classroom leaders and AmeriCorps members alike are amazing with their students and are always coming up with amazing lessons for the kids. Rebecca also is grateful for the support from her site supervisor, Katherine Brooks, whom Rebecca says has been helpful, supportive, sweet, and fabulous at her job and Rebecca is honored to be a part of her team.

Overall, as a team leader, Rebecca hopes to be a role model that the students can look to for advice or guidance and help be a positive force in a really important time and area of these kids’ lives. Rebecca states that she gets to leave work every day knowing that she is making a difference in these students’ lives and that is something that she loves.

As for advice for future Team Leaders or Service Scholars, Rebecca says to wear really good and comfortable shoes; "you are all over this place and you won’t be able to sit down a whole lot!"

By: Jacquelene Bennett, AmeriCorps Content Leader
 and Rebecca Dunckley, AmeriCorps Team Leader, Kawana Elementary

Meet the Team Leaders: Lauren Allison

Lauren Allison, AmeriCorps Team Leader and a Taylor Mountain student

My name is Lauren Allison and I am the Team Leader at Taylor Mountain Elementary. I moved to Santa Rosa from the East Bay to attend Sonoma State University where I recently graduated with a BA in Liberal Studies. I enjoy photography and playing with my new dog Rufus.

My Taylor Mountain team is amazing! We work well as a group by sharing ideas and offering needed support in and out of the classroom setting. Our site supervisor is supportive and encouraging and is willing to meet any of our needs. I love my placement and am excited to see what this year will hold for all of the Taylor Mountain staff.
 
I have worked with children for a very long time, and am excited to be a part of AmeriCorps and CalSERVES. Children inspire me and their smiles make me smile. I hope to bring my students excitement and determination as well as a boost in their self-confidence. I am looking forward to the future months and watching the development of my students.

By Lauren Allison, AmeriCorps Team Leader, Taylor Mountain Elementary