New AmeriCorps Members

The National Ability Center is a host site for the AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps is a volunteer service organization that partners with programs throughout the country. There are six new AmeriCorps volunteers joining the National Ability Center for this coming year. They started the first day of October and will be here for a solid year. They will be working in various programs that the National Ability Center has to offer. Take a few minutes to read about the new AmeriCorps individuals. They are all from different backgrounds, but they are bringing experience and passion to the programs that they will be working with.

Andrea will be the Peer Partner Coordinator and ski instructor at the Ski and Snowboard Center. She is from Fenton, Michigan. She studied Therapeutic Recreation at Central Michigan University and is a licensed CTRS. She finished her degree with her internship in the winter of 2009 at the NAC and fell in love with it. She stayed on as an AmeriCorps member and is excited for a second great year of AmeriCorps at the NAC! She loves the power of recreation to enrich peoples lives.

Her favorite quote is: "You gain strength, and courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face...You must do the thing you think you cannot." Eleanor Roosevelt

Erin in from the great state down south of Tennessee and she wishes y'all a good day. She will be working with the equestrian program and at the ski and snowboard center this winter. She loves rock climbing and staying active in the outdoors. She has completed two years of college at the University of Tennessee and is very excited about AmeriCorps and the opportunities at the National Ability Center.

Erica will be the Ski & Snowboard Program Volunteer Coordinator at the National Ability Center. She will be coordinating the volunteers at the ski and snowboard center. Her hometown is Marinette, Wisconsin and she is a Badger, graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology: Exercise and Movement Science. She was in a dance academy for 12 years growing up. She still has some skills.

Laura is originally from the frozen tundra (aka, North Dakota) and is excited to live in the mountains this year. She will be working with a little bit of everything this year including: aquatics, ski and snowboard center, volunteer coordinating, and outreach. A recent graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth, Laura loves to go trail running, climb rocks, and bike in her spare time.

Michelle is originally from Napa, California. She was able to do an Equine Internship through the National Ability Center in the summer of 2009 and came back the following summer to teach Camp Giddy Up. She went to college at Feather River College in Quincy, California where she majored in Equine Studies. She concentrated her studies in Pack Skills and Stable Operations. She graduated with an Associates Degree in the spring, and decided to take a break from school and come out to the National Ability Center to participate in AmeriCorps.

Teaching therapeutic horseback riding has always been a dream of hers, and through the NAC she has been able to live that dream to the fullest. While being here, she hopes to push her boundaries and try something outside of the equine world. In reaching that goal she will be volunteering in the NAC's ski and snowboard program this winter as well as being in the barn.

My name is Ben. I am originally from South Bend, Indiana. I have a Health, Fitness and Recreation Degree and recently finished going back to school to receive my teaching certification in Health and Physical Education. I love to participate in all things sport. I have participated in seven marathons and about thirteen half-marathons in my racing wheelchair. When the snow flies you will find me on the slopes. I will be working this year with the National Ability Center in the marketing and outreach department, the ski and snowboard center, and the sled hockey programs. I am looking forward to meeting some great individuals and learning many new things in my year as an AmeriCorps member.

If you would like more information on AmeriCorps and the different programs they are currently working in Utah and nationally, you can click on the link below.

www.AmeriCorps.gov

AmeriCorps Members Carry a Big Stick (or Sledgehammer)

At noon on May 21, AmeriCorps volunteers from the National Ability Center arrived at Recycle Utah on Woodbine Way with destruction on their minds. Wielding screwdrivers, hammers, utility knives, scissors, pry bars, pliers and a sledgehammer they proceeded to demolish thirty-four discarded car seats in 3 hours. By separating the hard plastic from the metal and non-recyclable fabric, a sizeable amount of recyclable materials were mined from the car seats and the county landfill was spared unwanted additions. It was a tough job but all of the participants enjoyed themselves as they found creative new ways to use tools! Many thanks to Brian, Kristin, Rebekah, Garrett, Molly, and Tracy for volunteering, and thanks to Recycle Utah volunteer coordinator Britte Kirsch for organizing the project.

-John Matro (Recycle Utah volunteer, aka Junkyard Dog)

Note from the NAC;
Each AmeriCorps member who serves with us for a one-year term also participates in monthly service projects like this one with Recycle Utah. This year, the NAC AmeriCorps members have volunteered their time and talents to the Peace House, Utah Food Bank, Norwegian Outdoor Exploration Center and many others. Each of them is also required to fulfill an Individual Service Project during the year. For more information about serving as a member of this national organization, check out AmeriCorps.gov. There are many options for where and when you can serve around the United States. Join AmeriCorps, get things done.

AmeriCorps Week

The National Ability Center is fortunate to be one of only eight AmeriCorps state programs in Utah. These volunteers are invaluable and help create a positive environment for each individual who paritipates in our programs throughout the year. This week we celebrate with nearly 3,000 other organizations which are served by AmeriCorps volunteers. From rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina to helping kids with disabilities learn to ride a bike, AmeriCorps members help in many aspects of community life in the United States. At the NAC, each AmeriCorps member volunteers for 1,700 hours over the course of a year. Thank you AmeriCorps members!

Read on to learn more about AmeriCorps and its benefits to organizations like ours around the country. If you are interested in becoming an AmeriCorps member at the National Ability Center, please email us at info@DiscoverNAC.org.

What is AmeriCorps Week?

AmeriCorps Week is a recruitment and recognition event designed to bring more Americans into service, salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible. AmeriCorps Week provides an opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program partners, and friends to shine a spotlight on the work done by members in communities across the country -- and to motivate more AmeriCorps to join AmeriCorps or volunteer in their communities.

The third annual AmeriCorps Week will take place May 9-16, 2009.

What is AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps provides opportunities for 75,000 Americans to give back in an intensive way to their communities and country each year. It consists of three main programs: AmeriCorps State and National, whose members serve with more than 2,900 national and local nonprofit and community groups; AmeriCorps VISTA, through which members serve full time fighting poverty; and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), a team-based residential program for young adults 18-24 who carry out projects in public safety, the environment, youth development, and disaster relief and preparedness.