Guest column: AmeriCorps: Getting things done during COVID-19

by TIFFANY GIST, STEVE HOEKSTRA, DENERIO MCKISSICK-WATKINS, and KENITHA PEARSON
Guest Column

AmeriCorps’ members across the country are working to assist people in communities struggling in the midst of the many crises COVID-19 has brought.

As AmeriCorps members, we wanted to share an overview of what we do, some of our personal experiences, and resources for anyone who may be interested.

Created in 1993 with the passage of the National Community and Service Trust Act, AmeriCorps itself is made up of a number of programs:

• The NCCC
• AmeriCorps VISTA
• AmeriCorps State and National
• Senior CORPS

Members must commit to 1,700 hours of community service work, over a term of nine to 12 months.

In return, AmeriCorps members receive a living stipend, health benefits, and a scholarship upon completion of service. This can be a great opportunity for people to broaden their horizons, engage in meaningful work, or even enter a new career path.

The National Civilian Community Corps, or NCCC, is a program for 18- to 24-year old participants. Participants are deployed to one of four regions in the United States. Each team spends 10 months completing community projects, such as disaster response, environmental stewardship, and infrastructure development.

AmeriCorps VISTA can trace its roots back to the “War on Poverty” policies of the mid-1960s. VISTA members provide support to nonprofits and public agencies.

Senior Corps, another branch of the AmeriCorps family of programs, provides opportunities for senior citizens to join up with nonprofits. Foster Grandparents provide tutoring, serve in schools, drug treatment centers, and correctional facilities. RSVP Senior Members provide a wide range of service activities while receiving no financial compensation. Our Senior Companions provide companionship and support to our older generation in assisted-living facilities.

AmeriCorps State and National members’ focus lies in assisting nonprofits, within six key areas: education, healthy futures, clean energy/environment, veterans and military families, disaster services, and economic opportunity.

As AmeriCorps State and National Members serving with the Detroit-based charity, Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, we honored to provide some support during this challenging time.

A member of Wayne Metro’s AmeriCorps program, co-author Tiffany Gist joined AmeriCorps as a token of gratitude for times when the same agency helped her and her family. She sees this position as a starting point for her other dream: building a program that supports the families of incarcerated individuals. “Family is key,” is her mantra. In her current role, Gist provides assistance to clients who are at risk of mortgage foreclosure.

Others who collaborated on this essay share similar thoughts. “I joined because I wanted to provide support in these hard times. The work can be challenging, but people are under a lot of stress these days, and I have gotten to play a small role in helping them out”, says Steven Hoekstra, who connects Wayne County residents facing property tax foreclosure with resources.

A member of Wayne Metro’s Homeownership Services Team, Kenitha Pearson, specializes in guiding clients through income tax, property tax, and eviction diversion programs. She has enjoyed the opportunity to get hands-on, professional training in the workforce, and helping people in difficult situations keep their homes.

Denerio McKissick-Watkins, another Wayne Metro AmeriCorps member, said he appreciates the opportunity to help at a critical time. “This job allows me to help others in the same position I was in before this opportunity by providing resources during COVID.”

Anyone interested in joining AmeriCorps can visit cedamichigan.org or americorps.gov to learn more.

Steven Hoekstra is a former WCC student and employee.

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