As the fall season quickly approaches, we look forward to welcoming two new AmeriCorps members to Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka! Today, we remember the history and accomplishments of each of our past AmeriCorps members!

AmeriCorps was founded as part of the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. Almost 30 years later, over 250,000 individuals across the nation have taken part in serving hundreds of communities in all 50 states. AmeriCorps sees service as a solution to critical needs on both local and national levels. The AmeriCorps program can be summed up by the personal pledge each member takes to “Get things done!” Truly, they are an action oriented, boots on the ground initiative, which believes in strengthening our communities, improving lives, and fostering civic engagement.

Habitat Seminole-Apopka began working with AmeriCorps in 2013 and has since hosted 10 AmeriCorps State and National members and 2 teams of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). Members have developed resources and programming. They have increased support for families in our program. They have developed volunteer engagement through recognition and recruitment programs, and much, much more. Each year that we have an AmeriCorps member, we can further improve our organizations ability to properly serve our community. Habitat International’s research has found that Habitat locations that host an AmeriCorps member see an average of 13% increase in new construction activities! A 13% increase means more homes built, more families served, and a stronger community.

 Habitat AmeriCorps is an investment in growth, in communities, and in the next generation of leadership for the affordable housing movement.

Last week we said goodbye to our 2019-2020 AmeriCorps Member Carter Shine. Carter served with the Volunteer Services Department. Our volunteers had the pleasure of getting to know Carter! On any given day Carter could be found in the office improving our database, on the construction site recognizing volunteers, training volunteers in the ReStore or much, much more. We wish them the best in their future endeavors and congratulate them on completing a whopping 1,720 hours of service.

A few things that our past AmeriCorps members have accomplished include:

• Developing our volunteer program and database
  

  2018 AmeriCorps members show off their AmeriCorps gear during AmeriCorps Week two years ago!

• Neighborhood revitalization projects
• Community outreach work to build knowledge of resources in the community
• Programming to teach financial readiness to children of Habitat families
• A volunteer recognition program
• Deconstruction projects
• Assisting in the completion of our Juniper Bend neighborhood
• ….and much, much more!!

What will this year’s AmeriCorps members Paola and Craig accomplish? Follow us on Facebook for updates! We cannot wait to introduce them to you!