AmeriCorps had exciting new opportunities to celebrate the agency’s 30th anniversary in March. Across the nation, AmeriCorps celebrated our milestones and efforts, as well as our members, volunteers, and alumni, throughout the month.
Celebrating AmeriCorps 30 in Austin, Texas
During the first week of March, AmeriCorps joined hundreds of educators and leaders at SXSW EDU. AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith hosted a panel discussion with City Year, Communities in Schools, and Teach for America to discuss how national service has been supporting our nation’s education needs for the past 30 years. Through tutoring, mentoring, and providing wraparound supports, AmeriCorps has continuously provided the people-power to support teachers in classrooms, help programs innovate, expand opportunities, and advance innovative strategies to better support student success.
AmeriCorps CEO also joined the Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten and Communities in Schools CEO and President Rey Saldaña at a local elementary school to hear about the impact of Americans who answered President Biden’s call for 250,000 additional people to serve in evidence-based, student support roles. AmeriCorps members in Austin have been supporting the National Partnership for Student Success’s efforts to accelerate student learning after the COVID-19 pandemic caused extensive disruption in our nation’s schools.
President Biden also announced plans to further support tutors and mentors, highlighting the importance of initiatives like NPSS during his State of the Union address. He stated, “To remain the strongest economy in the world we need the best education system in the world... I want to expand high-quality tutoring and summer learning time and see to it that every child learns to read by third grade.”
Recognizing AmeriCorps’ Impact
A week after SXSW EDU, AmeriCorps celebrated its annual AmeriCorps Week. AmeriCorps leaders joined our members across the nation to celebrate their commitment to making a difference in our communities.
AmeriCorps CEO joined our nation’s leaders, Maryland Secretary of Service & Civic Innovation Paul Monteiro, Lieutenant Governor of New York Antonio Delgado, and Pennsylvania Representative Chrissy Houlahan to serve alongside our members and hear how their service is transforming communities and their lives.
AmeriCorps State and National Director and AmeriCorps alumna Sonali Nijhawan served as an honorary member in North Carolina, Minnesota, and Arizona, while Public Health AmeriCorps Director AJ Pearlman joined Representatives Rosa DeLauro and John Larson in Connecticut to recognize the positive impact AmeriCorps members and volunteers make in the public health.
Find Ways to Celebrate National Service and Volunteerism
AmeriCorps continues to celebrate the agency’s milestones, members, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, and alums throughout the year.
In April, the agency gears up to celebrate national service members who serve to make our planet greener and cleaner. Join our celebrations for Environment Month, National Volunteer Week, and Earth Day.
Photo credit to Ross Lucksinger Photography