Monthly Archives: May 2009

05.14.09
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Citizens Cross Borders to Serve in Diverse Teams with Global Xchange

Global Xchange participantsA partnership between the British Council and the Volunteer Service Organisation (VSO), Global Xchange brings together teams that cross cultures and borders to serve together.

Global Xchange is an innovative, intercultural service exchange opportunity for young people to work together with people of other countries and to develop shared experiences, skill sets, and values.

Every six months, Global Xchange teams up groups of 18 young people, ages 18-25. Nine are from the same overseas partner Continue reading →

05.14.09
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AmeriCorps Week: Learning and Teaching Resourcefulness

Genesis McKiernan-AllenAs part of AmeriCorps Week I’m interviewing some of the Idealist.org-involved people who have served or are currently serving in AmeriCorps. This interview is with former Idealist.org intern Genesis McKiernan-Allen, who served last year with Northwest Service Academy (NWSA) and is currently serving as a team leader with Impact Northwest.

Where have you served?

I served my first AmeriCorps year as the Outreach and Education Assistant at a nonprofit building material reuse center called The ReBuilding Center (TRC) in Portland, OR.  I was placed there through the NWSA. Now I’m serving a different nonprofit agency — Impact Northwest — in a much different capacity. This year I am the Team Leader for a brand new branch of the Impact NW AmeriCorps program.  I’m supporting 10 brand new members in 10 brand new positions. Continue reading →

05.14.09
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AmeriCorps Week: Exploring Different Ways to Get Involved

Erin BarnhartAs part of our AmeriCorps Week Interviews, I’m sharing stories of current or former AmeriCorps members, about their service, and its impact on their communities and their careers. This interview is with my colleague Erin Barnhart who served with AmeriCorps NCCC. NCCC stands for the National Civilian Conservation Corps.

Where did you serve?

I served with AmeriCorps NCCC at their Central Region campus in Denver from 1997-98.

What do you do now? Continue reading →

05.13.09
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AmeriCorps Week: This Town Runs on the Northwest Service Academy

In honor of AmeriCorps Week, I’m interviewing people who are current or former AmeriCorps members, to talk with them Sara Lozitoabout their service, and its impact on their communities and their careers. This interview is with Sara Lozito, our Idealist.org podcast intern who’s currently serving with the Northwest Service Academy (NWSA).

Where do you serve?

I currently serve as an Individual Placement Team Leader at the Northwest Service Academy (NWSA) in Portland, OR. From 2007-2008 I served at Ecotrust also in Portland.

What were you doing before you joined AmeriCorps?

I was: helping to build the Public Service Graduate Education Resource Center at Idealist.org, running a before-school program at a Portland elementary school, and teaching in an after-school program at a Portland middle school.

Why did you join AmeriCorps? What did you hope to accomplish?

I hoped to help organizations build better programs and to accomplish those goals that could Continue reading →

05.13.09
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AmeriCorps Week: Education for Increased Health and Food Security

Randall CassIn honor of AmeriCorps Week, I’m interviewing people who are current or former AmeriCorps members, to talk with them about their service, and its impact on their communities and their careers. This interview is with Randall Cass, a former Idealist.org intern who’s currently serving with the Northwest Service Academy (NWSA).

Where do you serve?

I am the AmeriCorps placement at Oregon Tilth’s Organic Education Center. Oregon Tilth is a nonprofit dedicated to organic research, education, and certification.

What were you doing before you joined AmeriCorps?

I started my position about four months after I graduated from college. During those months I worked a retail job (not really my thing) while crashing on my sister’s couch until I found a place of my own.

Why did you join AmeriCorps? What did you hope to accomplish? Continue reading →