Hundreds of CalSERVES AmeriCorps Members from Across California Gear Up for Our Annual Conference

 In the last month, hundreds of AmeriCorps members across our Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP), CalPREP, and After School programs have taken the first big step into their yearlong AmeriCorps pledge by immersing themselves in service. Our members serve in diverse capacities across California, from building capacity of nonprofits behind the scenes to tutoring small groups of students in specialized subject areas. No matter their role, all of our AmeriCorps members are untied in their passion for serving our state’s children and families through National Service commitments.

It’s my pleasure to announce that for first the first time, members from across all three of our AmeriCorps programs will come together in Rohnert Park for the CalSERVES AmeriCorps Conference. We’re thrilled about this opportunity to connect our inspiring corps of individuals and can’t wait to see the passion for community service that this event will spark in our dedicated team.

In addition to the opportunity to network with and learn from participants in other programs, each of our AmeriCorps members will receive high-quality training in their area of specialty. After School Service Scholars can look forward to training in behavior management best practices and in their primary subject area (Healthy Behaviors, Literacy, or STEM) from field experts. Instructors in the After School conference track include seasoned CalSERVES staff members and some of our favorite trainers, like David Chosa and Francesca Soriano-Hersh.

VIP and CalPREP fellows will have the opportunity to receive training from some of the best in the field of volunteer management. We’re excited to have experts from OneOC, the Sonoma County Family YMCA, and our event partner, the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County, lead workshops in volunteer management topics from the “Elements of Volunteerism” to the building of business partnerships for volunteering. CalPREP Fellows – who are focusing their service year on building college-readiness mentoring programs – will also receive training in our research-based mentoring curriculum.

As the hub for nonprofits in Sonoma County, the Volunteer Center is excited to support our event by sharing its expertise and understanding of nonprofit and volunteer management with our AmeriCorps team! We’re incredibly grateful for their partnership and for providing educational support through multiple presentations over the 4-day conference.

Lauren Serpa, CalSERVES Volunteer Program Coordinator

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.

AmeriCorps Service helps Students

 CalSERVES has After School programs all across California. Programs in Los Angeles have been seeing a lot of progress with students.

Students participate in STEM projects.

An AmeriCorps members serving in LA, Didier Mejia, shared this observation about AmeriCorps  service and the students in the program:

“One of the many students that I had a chance to work with caught my attention with his progress throughout the program. A 6th grader, he is bright kid who was eager to learn new stuff. I believe mathematics is an essential subject one must learn in order to succeed in any career, therefore I emphasized this with my students. He is now able to easily calculate large numbers in his head and works on Math a grade ahead of his classmates.”

A student engaged in learning about Science.

Time to Say Goodbye

It’s the end of the service year for the 2012-13 CalSERVES AmeriCorps Service Scholars. Our members are leaving the program with many fond memories, and have a few tips to share with next year’s Scholars.

 Flexibility is key, say our graduating members, and they encourage our new staff to best serve their students by being able to go with the flow, embrace change, be adaptable and open to fresh ideas while making every possible moment a learning opportunity.

The members also expressed some motivational advice for the future CalSERVES tutors:

“Don’t be afraid to expose your failures to the kids – let them know that you’re human too and that it’s okay to make mistakes.”

“Don’t sell your self short with any excuses – there is always room for more patience, positivity, and productivity. See the power of your own effectiveness.”

“Believe in yourself and know that even when times are hard or stressful, that you are still making a difference in the lives of the kids.”

“Don’t get bogged down. Change won’t happen immediately. You might not even see it during your service term. Instead consider that that you are a piece of the greater puzzle. Sooner or later, we’ll see a prettier picture.”

This school year would not have been as fun or successful without the hard work from each and every one of our AmeriCorps members! Thank you for all that you did this year; you truly made a difference in the lives of so many students!

by Jacky Bennett, CalSERVES AmeriCorps Literacy Content Leader

Wright Students Get Nutritious!

 Every year, students within the CalSERVES program participate in what we call Nutrition Olympics. They spend the afternoon playing games designed to help them learn new facts about fruits, veggies and healthy lifestyle choices.

This year, the students at Wright Charter got even more involved in the fun. During “Pepper Push Relay” students had to find creative ways to roll a pepper to the finish line. “Celery Javelin” found our students seeing how far they could throw the celery “stalk.” Even the Middle Schoolers had fun “Citrus Relay” where they raced to see which team could fill up their baskets the fastest.

Overall, Nutrition Olympics was another successful event for Wright Charter!

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