Four principles for enhancing AmeriCorps member recruitment | AmeriCorps Recruitment Institute

04/26/2022 |

The key to a successful AmeriCorps program starts with finding people who have the skills & commitment to “get things done” and are ready to take action on issues facing Texas communities. Serving with with AmeriCorps is a valuable, life-changing experience, but lack of awareness or an unfocused strategy can make recruiting members a challenge.

This spring, OneStar hosted the AmeriCorps Recruitment Institute to equip national service programs operating in Texas with best practices at all stages of member recruitment, with a specific focus on developing a diverse talent pool and increasing local partnerships. Delivered via four virtual interactive workshops, the AmeriCorps Recruitment Institute built a solid foundation for recruitment planning and empowered participants to develop a customized framework tailored to their unique recruitment needs. While each program requires a distinct approach, here are a few key principles we learned for laying the groundwork for a strong recruitment strategy:

  • Begin with the end in mind. Based on historical data, have a clear target of how many individuals you need at each stage of the prospect journey and deeply understand who your desired audience is.
  • Time and resources are finite. Be strategic in what types of recruitment activities you participate in and ensure you define what success looks like when engaging in them.
  • Don’t let your messaging get stale. Each interaction, whether in-person or through an email, should be aligned to the individual you are trying to attract. Practice your elevator pitch or get feedback on your written messages from the members in your programs to evaluate their effectiveness.
  • Create an equitable screening process by being transparent with candidates about what they can expect and set them up for success at each stage. Ensure your interview is free of personal bias by using a set of competency-aligned questions with standard rubrics.

Texas communities are stronger because of dedicated individuals committing to a term of service. You can support building momentum for AmeriCorps in Texas, by promoting AmeriCorps opportunities and making connections within your network — check out sample social media posts and messaging in the AmeriCorps Values: What’s at your CORE? campaign toolkit! You can learn more about serving in AmeriCorps here, and find and apply for all current AmeriCorps position openings in Texas here.

Special thanks to to the Schultz Family Foundation for advancing national service as a pathway of opportunity and supporting the AmeriCorps Recruitment Institute through the National Service Challenge grant!

“AmeriCorps completely reshaped my concept of what it takes to be part of a solution to a societal problem” | AmeriCorps Week 2022

03/18/2022 |
This AmeriCorps Week, March 13-19, we invited OneStar staff who served with AmeriCorps in Texas to share their experiences and words of wisdom. We are so grateful to all AmeriCorps members and alums who made a commitment to serve and have contributed their time, passion, and skills to strengthening Texas communities. OneStar is a proud Employer of National Service!

Vanessa Gutierrez has completed two terms of service with AmeriCorps: first serving in an early childhood literacy program with Jumpstart in Washington, then returning to her home state of Texas to serve with Front Steps to support shelter case management for those experiencing homelessness. 

Vanessa’s AmeriCorps experience catalyzed a diverse career in direct client service in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. In addition to her recent work in the local tech industry, she previously supported the foster-to-adopt program at Amara in the state of Washington and provided supportive services as a case manager with Front Steps at the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless. She now serves as a Program Officer with OneStar to promote the development and administration of AmeriCorps Texas.

What made you decide to join AmeriCorps?

I think everyone who has the means, access, and opportunity to serve with AmeriCorps should make that commitment. It really gives you insight into how community-based programs and nonprofits work. As a member, you get the opportunity to be a direct part of the solution to a variety of society’s major issues. 

I personally joined my first term of AmeriCorps service to gain experience working with children. I knew I already had an interest in social work when I started my college career. I had just ended my work study term working for a local adoption agency, and I wanted to explore what it was like to work directly with children. As a sociology major, I was learning a lot about inequities in the world, and I deeply wanted to do the work. AmeriCorps gave me that opportunity—twice!

How did AmeriCorps affect your perspective on service and your community? What insights did you gain about your community through AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps completely reshaped my concept of what it takes to be part of a solution to a societal problem. Starting my service as a very independent passionate person with a desire to change the world, I soon realized that this experience was not about me and my search for self-fulfillment. I left my terms of service truly understanding just how important it is to work together to create systems change and gained insight into the power of the collective.

Do you have a notable memory from your time in AmeriCorps that illustrates the impact service has had on you?

One of my proudest memories was gaining an understanding of the value of one-on-one time with students and cultural competency in the classroom. During my first term of service, I was able to serve as a teaching aid for a classroom of over 30 pre-kindergarten students who faced a variety of obstacles that were impacting their progress in literacy. Because I was able to give the students individualized attention, I learn that one of my students never spoke because he only verbally communicated in Spanish, that one of the students learned and communicated differently because he presented signs of autism, and that one of my students struggled with aggression because this was the way her family communicated at home. As an AmeriCorps member, I had the capacity to devote one-on-one time to each of the students I served, and because of this, I was able to be a small part of what helped them reach their reading goals. The most joyous time was seeing each one of my students cross the stage with pride at their pre-K graduations in their little caps and gowns.

What skills or experiences did you gain during your AmeriCorps service that you use in your current career?

I gained several skills during my AmeriCorps terms that I use daily in my current career. I learned the value of collaboration and teamwork, the importance of strong communication skills with my AmeriCorps cohort and site supervisor, and ultimately just how pertinent self-care is when serving others. I continue to work towards improving each of these skills daily, and I am so grateful that I had so much support from my site teams and supervisors when learning these lessons in AmeriCorps. I do not believe that I would have had access to that caliber of wisdom and support had I just jumped into this career without serving with AmeriCorps first.

What advice would you give to AmeriCorps members to make the most of their service experience?

My advice to members is to talk to and network with as many people as you can, and to say yes to any opportunity that arises. Being in AmeriCorps puts you in a unique position where you can explore a variety of careers or interests with training wheels on. As a member, I had an entire network of people who were going through similar experiences as me, and I always appreciated the ability to learn and experiment. Remain steadfast and remember that you are not alone—you are a piece of a larger network of passionate folks who are also working toward a solution. 

“I wanted to wake up every day knowing the work I was doing was making a difference” | AmeriCorps Week 2022

03/16/2022 |
This AmeriCorps Week, March 13-19, we invited OneStar staff who served with AmeriCorps in Texas to share their experiences and words of wisdom. We are so grateful to all AmeriCorps members and alums who made a commitment to serve and have contributed their time, passion, and skills to strengthening Texas communities. OneStar is a proud Employer of National Service!

Sarah Beckmann completed two AmeriCorps terms in Austin as an AmeriCorps Access Coach at College Forward and an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader at Texas Association of Charitable Clinics. After completing her service, she returned to College Forward to join the staff as a Program Manager, supporting AmeriCorps members in growing professionally and effectively serving students.

Sarah joined the OneStar team this year to support the OneStar AmeriCorps VISTA Project in recruiting and managing members.

What made you decide to join AmeriCorps?

I joined AmeriCorps to start my career in nonprofits and education. I had an interest in working with students and wanted to try something that would help me gain hands-on experience while also giving back to the community I was serving in. People should join AmeriCorps if they are looking for a fun way to engage with their community and develop professionally in their fields. AmeriCorps is an incredible networking experience to find people that want to give back and serve their community like you. I’ve made some of my best friends from my service terms, and I am so thankful to have been part of some amazing cohorts of other members.

How did AmeriCorps affect your perspective on service and your community? What insights did you gain about your community through AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps was the first time I truly engaged in full-time service. I came from a more “office job” kind of background and wanted to feel more connected to the community around me in my day-to-day work. I wanted to wake up every day knowing that the work I was doing was actually making a difference. AmeriCorps gave me the opportunity to do that in both my service terms and helped me realize the passion that I had for helping others. It also helped me learn more about the amazing work being done in the community I lived in every day.

Do you have a notable memory from your time in AmeriCorps that illustrates the impact service has had on you?

One of my most notable moments from my AmeriCorps experience was the VISTA convening myself and other VISTA managers and leaders put on during my second term of service. This conference brought together VISTA members serving from around Texas for a chance to learn and develop together. It was also the first time I had met many of my own team members in person, and the experience really brought us together as a group. It was a great event to plan and helped me connect with members from all over Texas, both in my program and so many others. 

What skills or experiences did you gain during your AmeriCorps service that you use in your current career?

I truly believe the best professional experience I’ve gained in my career was during both of my service terms. I was able to learn so much through hands-on service and learning with my peers. I learned how to be a better team member and leader, as well as how to help others develop alongside of me. From working with students on FAFSA applications to creating volunteer programs for medical clinics, I learned so much about the education and healthcare fields just from being around other AmeriCorps members and staff that I worked with. It was an experience that I am so thankful for, and I still use the skills I developed during service to this day.

What advice would you give to AmeriCorps members to make the most of their service experience?

My biggest piece of advice to AmeriCorps members is to be open and ready for anything. You have no idea what amazing opportunities are out there for you until you open up to them. I think everyone has the chance to grow during their service terms if they put themselves out there and takes risks at new things they are interested in. Take advantage of this time to learn what you like and don’t like to do. I learned so much about myself and my career goals from both of my terms, and I am so glad I made an effort to branch out of my comfort zone to make the most of my experience.

“My service gave me an understanding of the importance of collaboration” | AmeriCorps Week 2022

03/15/2022 |
This AmeriCorps Week, March 13-19, we invited OneStar staff who served with AmeriCorps in Texas to share their experiences and words of wisdom. We are so grateful to all AmeriCorps members and alums who made a commitment to serve and have contributed their time, passion, and skills to strengthening Texas communities. OneStar is a proud Employer of National Service!

Shelby Thomas served in AmeriCorps from 2016-2017 as a Disaster Recovery VISTA for the Greater Houston Storm Recovery Network at Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries. She helped the Greater Houston community recover from major storms by providing support in resource development, project management, network communication, and data analysis for a collaborative of over 30 nonprofit & faith-based organizations participating in long-term recovery. Her diligent work was recognized during the 2017 Governor’s Volunteer Awards.

Shelby’s AmeriCorps service sparked a new interest in disaster recovery and emergency management, which led her join OneStar’s Disaster Resilience team. She then moved into the role of a specialist with the OneStar AmeriCorps VISTA Project, where she oversaw recruitment and member outreach. She currently works as a Grants Officer with the AmeriCorps Texas team.

What made you decide to join AmeriCorps?

It’s a great opportunity to develop your professional skills but also give back at the same time. After college, I knew I wanted to serve, but I was also figuring out my next steps and focusing on what skills I could gain. My AmeriCorps experience allowed me to work with individuals who had a heart for service, and it was rewarding to see that in action. It also allowed me to grow personally and professionally.

How did AmeriCorps affect your perspective on service and your community? What insights did you gain about your community through AmeriCorps?

In my AmeriCorps service year, I gained a better understanding of poverty and how it can affect people on an individual level. I saw how different organizations were collaborating to address poverty and how they worked directly with the community to provide critical services. My AmeriCorps service helped me understand what was being done to address the significant gaps in services.

Do you have a notable memory from your time in AmeriCorps that illustrates the impact service has had on you?

The success of my entire service year is a result of effective mentorship, leadership, and organizational structure that allowed me to see how a nonprofit organization can be run to strengthen its community. We were able to provide disaster recovery support to many different communities and partner organizations in the midst of Hurricane Harvey. I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to help others during a time of need. During my AmeriCorps year, I received a Governor’s Volunteer Award, which felt like recognition of not only my service, but of how much we achieved collaboratively. The award represented what we were trying to accomplish to help the community get back on its feet and affirmed the impact that we had created by working together.

What skills or experiences did you gain during your AmeriCorps service that you use in your current career?

My AmeriCorps service helped me develop the foundational and transferable skills that I needed for any career. Prior to AmeriCorps, I did not have any professional experience with nonprofits, so during my VISTA service, I gained knowledge about nonprofit operations and grantmaking and developed a passion for the nonprofit community. As someone coming into the workforce right after college, it exposed me to a professional environment and taught me how to communicate in a professional space. My service also gave me an understanding of the importance of collaboration and it developed my problem-solving skills, technical skills, and capacity building skills. I currently use those skills in my current career.

What advice would you give to AmeriCorps members to make the most of their service experience?

Use every opportunity to observe the workings of an organization, including training, resource development, and program development. Go above and beyond, be open to all opportunities, and make sure you are being an engaged AmeriCorps member. Try to find joy and motivation in all aspects of your service. Be adaptable, be flexible, and network!

“The decision to serve would send my life in an entirely new and meaningful direction” | AmeriCorps Week 2022

03/14/2022 |
This AmeriCorps Week, March 13-19, we invited OneStar staff who served with AmeriCorps in Texas to share their experiences and words of wisdom. We are so grateful to all AmeriCorps members and alums who made a commitment to serve and have contributed their time, passion, and skills to strengthening Texas communities. OneStar is a proud Employer of National Service!

Taylor Wolter served two terms as an AmeriCorps member with the Texas Conservation Corps at American Youthworks. Following his service, he took over the program in 2015 and continued to engage in numerous disasters, scaling the Disaster Response Program into a key asset for disasters in Texas and around the country.

Taylor came on board with OneStar in 2017, just days after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, and led the State of Texas in a forward direction as the Federal Taskforce Lead for Volunteer and Donations Management. Taylor is now the manager of OneStar’s Disaster Resilience initiative and is the lead for the state’s national service programs in times of disaster.

What made you decide to join AmeriCorps?

I was 25 years old working in the private sector when I had a moment of clarity. I realized that I was working a job that had no connection to my sense of service and wanted to help those who are underserved or unable to help themselves. My younger sibling had already done a term with AmeriCorps NCCC and loved it, so I made a split-second decision, sold everything I owned, and joined the Texas Conservation Corps as an AmeriCorps member, focusing on environmental conservation and disaster response. Little did I know that the decision to serve would send my life in an entirely new and meaningful direction.

How did AmeriCorps affect your perspective on service and your community? What insights did you gain about your community through AmeriCorps?

Prior to joining AmeriCorps, I thought volunteering was a noble thing that some people did, but I personally had no idea what to do or how to get involved. After learning about AmeriCorps, I was all in! During my service, I had the opportunity to live and work in communities across Texas and the United States, where I was exposed to folks from a wide range of backgrounds, belief systems, and world views. This was the first time I experienced systemic generational poverty, racial prejudice, and inequities in the federal support systems for those in need. As a result of my AmeriCorps service, I have a far more empathetic and well-rounded view of those who are challenged due to circumstances out of their control. These experiences left a forever impression, leading me to build a career in the social impact sector, where I am fortunate to continue to support those in need through my work each day.

Do you have a notable memory from your time in AmeriCorps that illustrates the impact service has had on you?

As an AmeriCorps member I spent several years deployed to natural disasters across the United States and its territories worldwide. I remember being deployed to the San Marcos/Wimberly Floods of 2015, which was only my second disaster deployment ever. I quickly got the hang of disaster work, and my superiors in the community took note. As the impacts from the disaster (an 80-foot wall of water resulting in widespread flooding) continued to grow in scale, so did our operation. On day 27 of the deployment, I was asked by the Emergency Management Director to oversee all operations in the City of San Marcos for 24 hours to allow for his team to rest and visit with their families.

This was a hugely impactful moment as I realized in an instant that my efforts and ideas as an AmeriCorps member were not only embraced, but also were recognized at the highest levels of my field, resulting in me being identified as the stand in incident commander when the government officials needed a break. For a guy who didn’t know how to connect to volunteer opportunities two years before, it felt incredible to know that I had made a tangible impact that was being recognized by professionals in my field.

What skills or experiences did you gain during your AmeriCorps service that you use in your current career?

Coming out of the private sector, I honestly wasn’t sure what experiences or skills that I would gain through my service with AmeriCorps. I quickly discovered though that it was up to me to seek out the skills and experiences I had an interest in. For me, this meant becoming the go-to member for all disaster deployments that my program was involved with. By voluntarily deploying to more than 15 disasters while in service, I developed a superior set of skills around planning large-scale disaster responses, managing large amounts of disaster volunteers (at times more than 2000 a day), and developing coalitions of individuals and organizations from a diverse set of background, world views, and political beliefs to work toward a common goal of recovering from the event. 

Following my service, I was hired to run the disaster program that I served with and eventually was hired by OneStar in the early days of Hurricane Harvey to lead FEMA’s Volunteer and Donations Taskforces and oversee the largest disaster deployment in AmeriCorps’s history at that time. And it all started with the choice to do a year of service and see where it went.

What advice would you give to AmeriCorps members to make the most of their service experience?

Go all in! Take advantage of every opportunity that is presented to you to learn about nontraditional jobs and paths to success from professionals in positions you can see yourself in. Realize that unlike some traditional jobs, your AmeriCorps service is supported by professionals that want to see you grow into the best version of yourself. I always encourage anyone joining AmeriCorps to make the experience work for you. This means seeking additional opportunities to engage with work you are passionate about, exploring new career fields, and asking to be involved in initiatives and programs that are important to you as an individual. By doing all these things, you just might find a new path that you didn’t know you were looking for—I sure did.

AmeriCorps Week | March 13-19, 2022 #AmeriCorpsWeek

Get ready for AmeriCorps Week 2022

02/15/2022 |

Every March, we celebrate AmeriCorps Week. This year we’re celebrating March 13-19.

During AmeriCorps Week, we recognize the commitment of the millions of individuals who have chosen to serve Texas communities through AmeriCorps and encourage more Americans to follow in their footsteps of service.

We are thankful for all the hard work by so many and are confident national service is ready to meet the moment and continue to help make an impact.

Looking for ways to participate?

  • Share videos, photos, and posts on social media offering #AmeriThanks to AmeriCorps members and alums throughout the month of March. Check out the AmeriCorps Week social press kit for sample posts and key messages. Remember to tag or mention OneStar on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, so we can amplify your message!
  • Host a virtual thank you celebration or reach out directly to AmeriCorps members or alumni.
  • Nominate a member or alumnus for a service award, such as the Harris Wofford Joint Service Award or the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
  • Join us on the Day of the A. Don your best gear, very large pin, baseball cap, stickers, take a photo, and share it on your personal social media channels on Thursday, March 17, in honor of the Day of the A. AmeriCorps alumni are invited to share pictures and videos from their service.
  • Help declare March 13-19 AmeriCorps Week in your community by securing AmeriCorps Week proclamations from your city council or county commissioners. Download a proclamation template here, and contact OneStar to get AmeriCorps statistics specific to your city or region.
  • Send the AmeriCorps Week social press kit to local elected officials and community leaders and encourage them to recognize AmeriCorps Week on social media.
  • Host an “honorary AmeriCorps member.” Invite an elected official, community leader, school principal, or other local dignitary to see your program in action by becoming an “honorary AmeriCorps member” or by doing a site visit.

This AmeriCorps Week, join with us as we celebrate the impact of our programs and offer our thanks to members and volunteers for making an impact and serve others. Make sure you stay up to date and follow along on AmeriCorps’ Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for the latest on AmeriCorps Week.

Together, we can help the country recover and come back stronger. Together, we persevere. Together, we are AmeriCorps.

Words Matter, Actions Matter. Serve on MLK Day 2022.

01/10/2022 |

The 2022 MLK Day of Service is almost here – and Texans across the state are rolling up their sleeves in service. Are you ready to get out and serve?

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a defining moment each year when Americans across the country step up to make our communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. While Dr. King believed The Beloved Community was possible, he acknowledged and fought for systemic change. His example is our call to action.

Making time to volunteer for MLK Day of Service is a great way to engage with your community while honoring the legacy of Dr. King. Whether you plan on cleaning up a public space, mentoring a young person or engaging dialogue to explore ways to address inequity, foster inclusion and improve access, honor Dr. King’s legacy through service.

Looking for a way to participate?

While much work remains to fulfill Dr. King’s dream of a Beloved Community, service can help unify Americans of different backgrounds and experiences. Through service we can build more equitable and just communities to underpin racial equity, expand civic opportunities, and foster respect for individual differences.

How will you step forward and serve this MLK Day?

United States Capitol Building

AmeriCorps Legislative Updates

06/23/2021 |

It is an exciting time for AmeriCorps! There have been several significant legislative updates with new bills, appropriations, and new partnerships to support and expand AmeriCorps. Below is a snapshot of the different items underway:

American Rescue Plan

The American Rescue Plan was signed into law on March 11, 2021. Included in this $1.9 trillion plan is $1 billion for AmeriCorps. The $1 billion is intended to increase the living allowance for AmeriCorps members, stabilize existing programs, and expand into new communities. Under this legislation:

  • The living allowance will increase to $16,000, an increase of $900 from the minimum amount posted in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
  • The cost per MSY will increase from $16,300 to $20,000. These funds can be used to increase the living allowance further or provide necessary operating support to programs.
  • These funds will be available for the 2021-2022 program year.

FY22 President’s Budget

The Biden-Harris Administration submitted to Congress the President’s Budget for FY 2022, which includes strong support for AmeriCorps. The President’s Budget provides the following:

  • $1.2 billion for AmeriCorps, the agency (increase of $89.2 million over FY 2021 Enacted level).
  • $501 million to AmeriCorps State and National (increase of $46 million over FY 2021 Enacted level) that will support approximately 52,000 AmeriCorps members.
  • $103.86 million to AmeriCorps VISTA (increase of $6.5 million over FY 2021 Enacted level) that will support an estimated 8,000 full-time AmeriCorps members and summer associates.
  • Allow legal residents with Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to serve in AmeriCorps and earn an education award.
  • Allow AmeriCorps VISTA members aged 55 and older to transfer education awards.

The CORPS Act

On April 15, 2021, Senators Chris Coons and Roger Wicker reintroduced the CORPS Act (Cultivating Opportunity and Recovery from the Pandemic through Service Act), Senate Bill 1165. They were also joined by a bipartisan list of co-sponsors in introducing the bill including: Sens. Baldwin (D-WI), Booker (D-NJ), Duckworth (D-IL), Durbin (D-IL), Kelly (D-AZ), Klobuchar (D-MN), Reed (D-RI), King (I-ME), Blunt (R-MO), Cassidy (R-LA), Collins (R-ME), Cornyn (R-TX), Graham (R-SC), Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and Rubio (R-FL). The CORPS Act proposes an $8 billion investment in national service programs, members, and state service commissions over a three-year period in order to contribute to our nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The House version of the bill is expected to be announced by the end of June.

Public Health Corps

On May 14, 2021, The White House announced $400 million for Public Health AmeriCorps. This new initiative is a partnership between the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and AmeriCorps. Public Health AmeriCorps will include a $400 million investment, over five years, from the CDC’s ARP funding that will enable the recruitment, training, and development of a new generation of public health leaders that are ready to respond to the public health needs of the nation by providing public health service in communities. The program will be part of AmeriCorps State and National, and engage between 3,500- 5,000 AmeriCorps members over five years.

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) joined Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Don Bacon (R-NE) as the lead sponsors of the new Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act, which was introduced on June 16, 2021. This bill eliminates the tax on the education awards earned by AmeriCorps members for successfully completing their term of service.

Civilian Climate Corps

The Civilian Climate Corps (CCC) is a $10 billion investment to strengthen the country’s resiliency to climate change that has been included in the American Jobs Plan Act, as well as the President’s FY22 budget. AmeriCorps was not identified as a lead or partner agency on this initiative in either. Additionally, Senator Markey (D-MA) and Representative Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY 14) introduced the Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act, which did specify administration of this program by AmeriCorps. It is unclear if AmeriCorps would play a role in administering or partnering on a Civilian Climate Corps program, if enacted.

Three AmeriCorps members wearing cloth facemasks hold up brown bags during a meal distribution.

#ServiceShoutout to 9 AmeriCorps Texas Programs Supporting COVID-19 Recovery

05/06/2021 |

Today, we’re joining the nationwide #ServiceShoutout celebrating the invaluable role that national service has played in COVID-19 recovery. Texas communities are stronger and more resilient because of their commitment and dedication.

With 17,900 national service members serving across the state, there are countless examples of how AmeriCorps is making a difference across our state. Here is a look at nine AmeriCorps programs and how they have adapted this year in response to our communities’ pressing needs.

  • ChildFund International AmeriCorps members have helped children and families throughout Texas protect themselves from COVID-19 and supported students’ social emotional learning through virtual lesson plans, video presentations, and curbside activities. Members conducted home visits and check-in calls with families, provided tips on helping children manage stress and stay safe, gave encouragement, and provided a listening ear. Here’s an example of one fun virtual activity that members used to keep students safe and engaged!
  • College Advising Corps has diligently supported students across Texas navigating the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, ensuring they do not lose valuable post-secondary opportunities. AmeriCorps members continued offering advising services by pivoting to teleservice. For example, AmeriCorps members utilized SMS texting capabilities as an outreach method; at The University of Texas at Austin, advisers collectively texted more than 1,000 students to continue distributing important college-going information. Check out our in-depth profile of the College Advising Corps response here!
  • Communities In Schools of San Antonio was a lifeline for thousands of kids affected by COVID-19 and the economic fallout. AmeriCorps members supported student engagement in virtual learning by doing porch visits, providing technology, and offering enrichment groups over Zoom. But beyond academic support, members also served more than 250 hours at weekly mobile food pantries, rotating between 18 schools to meet the urgent need for food assistance. Check out how Communities In Schools used their unique case management model and community connections to address the unprecedented needs of their students.
  • Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas has been delivering virtual programming during the COVID-19 pandemic that is exceeding expectations of parents and teachers. AmeriCorps members have conducted online workshops for 3,000 girls—from a six-week virtual Camp Out of the Box experience to the Okay to Say mental health education program. Girl Scouts collaborates with local school districts to ensure students continue to build social/emotional skills, participate in hands-on STEM activities, and develop mental health awareness during the COVID-19 shutdown. Check out how Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas helped kids learn science—even without the Internet.
  • Imagine Art in Austin provided support to their client base of artists with disabilities by pivoting to online platforms and developing extensive safety protocols during the pandemic. AmeriCorps members explored creative exhibition opportunities for local artists via digital galleries and outdoor venues throughout the community, and they delivered food, personal protective equipment, and art supplies to clients upon request. Here’s a peek at their latest exhibition, curated and installed by AmeriCorps members!
  • Legacy Community Health has been working diligently to meet the needs of their patients and the Houston community. AmeriCorps members assist patients with their social determinants of health to ensure they have access to COVID-19 resources and have supported contact tracing, various food distributions, and Legacy Community Health’s baby shower parade for expecting moms. Check out our in-depth profile of the Legacy Community Health response here!
  • Literacy First in Austin recognized how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated long-standing disparities in access to a quality early education: their students were at greater risk of learning loss and needed additional early literacy support. AmeriCorps members were trained to effectively support and monitor student progress via Zoom and have provided hundreds of students with daily, one-to-one virtual tutoring. In addition to their tutoring responsibilities, Literacy First AmeriCorps members have also served the Central Texas community during the pandemic as COVID-19 contact tracers, food bank volunteers, elder support volunteers, virtual summer school support, and more.
  • Project Transformation North Texas continued to engage students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with their PT@Home virtual video series, featuring literacy, STEM, art, social-emotional learning, and other supply-light educational activities that kids could join remotely. In addition, AmeriCorps members helped deliver more than 47,000 meals across nine sites in the north Texas area and hosted drive-through food and supply distribution with toys, cleaning supplies, and meal kits. After months of hosting after-school homework help, literacy assessments, and family fun nights over Zoom, this AmeriCorps program is supporting local public and charter schools as they reopen with in-person programming using extensive safety protocols.
  • Reading Partners North Texas kept summer reading alive through the pandemic by engaging AmeriCorps members to distribute reading materials to 540 students during summer 2020. The program adapted its literacy curriculum for a virtual environment: they created Reading Partners Connects, a one-on-one online tutoring platform, and offer a free digital library for students and families. Here’s a look at a day in the life of an AmeriCorps distance tutoring coordinator.
Community Through Connection: AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting, March 10-12, 2021

Community Through Connection | 2021 AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting

03/12/2021 |

As we have remained socially distanced while navigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, one insight rings true: we need connection to keep our communities strong. That’s why OneStar moved our annual AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting—held March 10-12, 2021—to an online format, giving our national service programs a virtual space to continue building relationships and share experiences from this extraordinary year.

The theme of this year’s event was Community Through Connection, which gave us the opportunity to celebrate creative ways that AmeriCorps Texas programs stepped up this past year to address pressing community needs in compassionate and personal ways.

Here are a few memorable highlights from this year’s AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting:

  • Going virtual. After months of online video conferences, we had to get creative to keep participants engaged. We used tools such as breakout rooms, polls, and annotation, which created an opportunity for connection and engagement outside the traditional webinar format.
  • Organizing affinity groups. This year, we offered sessions targeted to specialized affinity groups, with tracks for fiscal grants management, recruitment, and member management and engagement. This allowed us to tailor content to relevant audiences, provide more opportunities for sharing challenges and best practices, and deepen engagement around critical topics.
  • Amplifying program voices. AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting is an opportunity for our programs across the state to connect with one another. To facilitate peer learning, we intentionally structured the majority of our sessions as panel discussions, spotlighting the practical, real-world perspective of experts working on the front lines. We invited grantees to present on a range of topics, from leadership development and member onboarding to program income and Fixed Award grants.
  • Leading beyond compliance. While AmeriCorps Texas Grantee Meeting offers a lot of technical training and assistance, we know that running a successful and thriving AmeriCorps program requires more than just checking the boxes. That’s why we invited Tray Deadwyler from Think for Good to offer a keynote address on Leading Beyond Compliance: Courage, Connection, Communication, Connecting the Dots. Tray shared some incredible methods for building connections, providing useful feedback, and coaching for success. He walked us through a motivational analysis where he asked participants to assess our “why” in order to determine our primary leadership style. Tray reminded us that to be effective leaders, we must strengthen our relationship and goal-oriented behaviors. We can do this by remembering to “seek first to understand, before seeking to be understood.” Tray taught us methods for providing effective feedback. One of my biggest takeaways was how intentional, thoughtful communication breeds connection.
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Screenshot of Zoom meeting
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