I am currently working as a Nutrition Outreach Instructor with the Family Nutrition Program, Virginia Cooperative Extension. Our program is SNAP-Ed funded and I deliver nutrition education to the SNAP population through volunteers.
Did your AmeriCorps experience have any influence on what you are doing today?
Yes, most certainly! My service term with AmeriCorps really pushed to become a leader within my own community. Not only did I help my community, but my community helped me discover my strengths.
In 3 words, describe your AmeriCorps service year!
Challenging, exciting, teamwork
What was your most memorable AmeriCorps moment?
I remember one of our service projects was working with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity was in the process of opening up a ReStore site and we were there to help clean up and organize the donated good. Well, I remember it being really disorganized and dusty inside and I thought "wow, where are we even going to begin?!". But before I could even think anymore we all took to a spot and began to make things happen. We found some really neat and unusual things such as a pretty decorative walking cane with feathers and some members were breaking apart an old couch and found some loose change (loose change is like gold on the AmeriCorps stipend!). I remember a lot of work being done in a short amount of time, but also a lot of laughs and memories.
What advice would you give current members as they plan for their "Life After AmeriCorps"?
Think about each and every little thing you have done while you've been a PHC member. When I talk to co-workers, possible employers or even friends they LOVE to hear about my time in AmeriCorps. What may seem like a little project can really make you stand out from the rest. Think about the strengths you have gained from your service, it's more then you think!
