Meet Felicia Hamer, OneStar | VISTA Spotlight

04/14/2024 |

In our VISTA Spotlight, our OneStar AmeriCorps VISTA members share in their own words about the transformative experience of serving with nonprofits and agencies in Texas working to eliminate poverty.

I have always had the desire to see people become better than their current circumstances. As a child, I was often empathetic to the needs of anything or anyone that was hurt or sad. I would comfort the little bird that fell out of the tree or give my mom hugs if I sensed she was feeling sad. I was known to always have a smile on my face and my former pastor’s wife nicknamed me “Bubbles”. Ironically, my name Felicia, in many languages can be translated to mean “joy or happy”. I wanted to continue to share my love for giving by serving our communities.

Embracing the decision to join AmeriCorps Vista came with mixed emotions as I did have a desire to serve but didn’t know if I had the capacity to serve. I had already begun going back to college to earn my bachelor’s degree, at almost 50 years old the year before, and had just obtained my associate’s degree in digital marketing in March 2024. I was uncertain if I would be able to maintain a work-life balance that would allow me the ability to serve, finish school and fulfill my other personal obligations.

I took the leap and was assigned as a Vista to help a local mobile diaper pantry /financial empowerment for new mothers called ilooklikeLOVE here in Dallas. It has been a wonderful opportunity to share my gifts and see the impact of this organization on the community. By ensuring that babies get what they need, providing families with diapers and wipes helps to minimize the family’s financial burden and provides a more stable environment for the babies to grow and develop. I am looking forward to helping ilooklikeLOVE continue to grow and meet the needs of the community.

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Meet Kristella Moreno, OneStar | VISTA Spotlight

03/13/2024 |

In our VISTA Spotlight, our OneStar AmeriCorps VISTA members share in their own words about the transformative experience of serving with nonprofits and agencies in Texas working to eliminate poverty.

Since completing my first full VISTA term earlier this year I ‘ve gained a new understanding of what it means to serve in AmeriCorps. Initially, I had joined the VISTA program to broaden my work experience and to explore the various career paths in the non-profit world. Instead, I learned the true value of service in your own community. I am forever changed because of the wonderful experiences I had while serving as a VISTA.

I experienced firsthand the passion, empathy, and determination it takes to serve in non-profits. While in service you see right away the reason each organization exists, the problem they are trying to solve, and the needs of the communities they serve. In service, I found my true strengths and how every effort made to improve the community counts. I started out as an alumni coordinator, but I ended up a mentor, an advocate, and a fighter. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities AmeriCorps VISTA program gave me and I will encourage others to join so they too can make a difference in themselves and their community.

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Meet Madison Teague, OneStar | VISTA Spotlight

09/29/2023 |

In our VISTA Spotlight, our OneStar AmeriCorps VISTA members share in their own words about the transformative experience of serving with nonprofits and agencies in Texas working to eliminate poverty.

I have always valued kindness and compassion. My love of literature and storytelling has continuously reinforced this belief. Reading about others’ experiences can foster a greater sense of understanding in an individual, or community, and bridge gaps of understanding. I believe that everything and everyone is interconnected and deserves to be treated with respect. However, while I was working in customer service and retail, these values were not always reflected in my everyday work. When faced with a career transition due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I resolved that the next career I pursued would be in line with what I value most in life: compassionate and kind service to others. This resolution led me to the AmeriCorps VISTA program where I discovered I could give back to my community through volunteer service in a big way.

The VISTA program would allow me to use my skills that I obtained through my undergraduate studies, as well as my previous job experience, in a way that would benefit others and not just myself. I am so grateful I was able to find an opportunity through AmeriCorps VISTA to complete my initial service term at Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, an organization that works to improve the lives of others through the power of literacy. Not only did I get to work within my field of study and passion, but I also got to help fundamentally improve the lives of individuals and communities through my service. After completing a successful term as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, I was fortunate to transition into a role as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader with OneStar Foundation. I currently serve as the Training & Resource Generation VISTA Leader where I have the opportunity to mentor VISTA members while expanding OneStar Foundation’s wealth of VISTA resources and professional development training. I have served in this position for two years and have witnessed so many VISTA members make positive changes in their communities while growing personally and professionally as well.

It means so much to me that I can provide a kind and compassionate assistance and support to people who in turn serve their communities. With more than 4,000 national service hours completed so far, I am proud of my AmeriCorps VISTA service and excited to begin my 4th consecutive term of service this Fall. Thank you so much to the VISTA members who give me the opportunity support them, to OneStar Foundation for supporting me in my service, and AmeriCorps VISTA for providing me the opportunity to serve my community and America.

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Meet Angel Puder, OneStar | VISTA Spotlight

08/17/2023 |

In our VISTA Spotlight, our OneStar AmeriCorps VISTA members share in their own words about the transformative experience of serving with nonprofits and agencies in Texas working to eliminate poverty.

As I prepared to graduate from Louisiana State University with a BA in Political Science and African and African American Studies, I didn’t truly know what I wanted to do with my gap year. I investigated various programs but all I knew was I wanted to give back to my community. That’s when I came across AmeriCorps VISTA.

My uncle told me all about the wonderful work they do, and the educational benefits members receive. As a recent graduate looking to attend graduate school soon, this piqued my interest. The Assistant Director of Campus Life/LSU Food Pantry reached out to me about their own AmeriCorps program right here at LSU. Since I had worked with him for 2 years, he thought I would be a great fit. He gave me the whole run down and even let me speak with the current AmeriCorps member. While this opportunity seemed perfect, I knew I wanted to come back home to serve.

After graduating, I went back home and applied to a few AmeriCorps VISTA programs including Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation in Houston, TX. FWCRC seemed like the best choice after researching all the work they do such as increasing affordable housing, providing financial coaching, and continuing the arts and cultural legacy of Fifth Ward. My VISTA Leader, Madison, served as a guiding light for my transition into VISTA life answering every question under the sun.

FWCRC has been a welcoming place for me to grow as a young professional and prepare for graduate school. As I’ve served, I’ve seen how my previous work at the Houston Mayor’s Office prepared me to come into the economic development sector. I’ve seen many familiar faces throughout my service which relieves me and helps me continue those relationships.

It took some time for me to get used to the 9 to 5 after years in school, but my colleagues have helped me see that there is so much I can do outside of the job. Even though not every day is super exciting, and I could be stuck behind a screen, I live for the days that I get to see happy community members at events and community meetings! This experience has been a great transition into the “real world” after graduating and has allowed me to go into graduate school with perspective.

Halfway done with my year, I am saddened to be leaving my site in the summer, but I am proud and relieved to know that I will always have connections back at FWCRC.

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Logo - Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy at The Bush School at Texas A&M University

Earn a Certificate in Nonprofit Career Development

10/24/2022 |

AmeriCorps members and recent alums are invited to apply for a Nonprofit Career Development Certificate program through the Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy at The Bush School at Texas A&M University. The program will run February to April 2023. Coursework is approximately 3 hours a week: 2 hours asynchronously, and one hour Monday evenings. All coursework is virtual, and course descriptions are listed below.

Priority selection will be given to individuals who:

  • are between 17 to 25 years of age
  • are serving or recently served as an AmeriCorps member in the state of Texas
  • reflect the race and/or income of communities being served

Selected individuals will receive a scholarship to cover the full cost of the certificate program. Technology scholarships may also be available to ensure access to technology is not a barrier to participating.

Applications are currently being accepted through November 30, 2022. Individuals will be notified of scholarship decisions early January 2023.

Apply
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This opportunity is powered by OneStar, and made possible with the support of the National Philanthropic Trust as recommended by the Schultz Family Foundation. 

Course Descriptions

Social Justice Leadership at Nonprofit Organizations

Deepens participant knowledge of biased systems within nonprofits which have contributed to a longstanding culture of inequity with regard to leadership roles, build participants’ abilities to recognize and take inventory of associated fairness barriers, and empower learners to address these issues from a data perspective to accelerate racial equity at nonprofit organizations.

Situational Leadership Model

Focuses on and introduces the highly regarded theory of leadership, known as the Situational Leadership Model, which focuses on leadership in situations. The assertion of the theory is that different kinds of leadership are required for different situations, and it continues to serve as an important tool for managers and leaders in a variety of professional settings.

Nonprofit Strategic Management

Provides a framework, the Nonprofit Strategic Management Cycle, which identifies strategic decision areas to consider as nonprofit leaders to create social value and sustain organizational operations.

Nonprofit Performance Measurement

Highlights performance measurement as a system that organizes information based on the regular collection and analysis of performance data. Course is designed to assist learners develop implementation skills by using a public service performance measurement system which is built on the concept of the balanced scorecard.

Understanding Fundraising

Introduces participants to the fundamentals of philanthropy at organizations. Participants will acquire knowledge about trends in giving, fundraising ethics, understanding revenue streams, and the various professional fundraising functions and their associated leadership best practices.
AmeriCorps member in blue shirt on a video conference call

Developing workforce pathways for AmeriCorps members

09/30/2022 |

AmeriCorps members make an extraordinary impact meeting the needs of Texas communities, and OneStar is committed to investing in the development of workforce pathways for these dedicated individuals to expand the impact of their term of service.

We are pleased to announce OneStar has awarded $1 million in AmeriCorps funds to 15 organizations to develop more opportunities to support these committed AmeriCorps members in leveraging their service experience into employment opportunities, equipping them to continue making a difference after their service ends. Selected programs will create program models that focus on the service-to-career pipeline, including:

  • designing and developing training opportunities,
  • developing community and employer partnership,
  • creating data tracking systems, and
  • developing certificate or training programs.

Funding was prioritized for program development that would engage opportunity youth and would create pathways to employment through a term of service for AmeriCorps members that are 17-25 years old whose race and income reflect the communities served.

All 15 organizations that have received this funding will be participating in a monthly learning collaborative to share ideas, best practices, and lessons learned. These learnings will then be shared more broadly within the AmeriCorps Texas network. The learning collaborative is made possible with the support of the National Philanthropic Trust as recommended by the Schultz Family Foundation.

The $1 million in funding, administered by OneStar, will be distributed to the following organizations operating in Texas. Click to learn more about each program’s workforce development initiatives!

AmeriCorps Texas Workforce Development Initiatives

American YouthWorks (AYW) is working to create an AmeriCorps service year experience that effectively blends service and training to create meaningful career pathways for our AmeriCorps members. AYW will work with local employers to identify and implement industry-recognized occupational certifications that both enhance employability and can be integrated into an AmeriCorps Training Plan. By strengthening AmeriCorps as a pathway to careers, AYW will have developed a powerful tool for marketing AmeriCorps to recent and soon-to-be high school graduates. From there, AYW will develop and implement a multi-level engagement strategy with local high schools. Together these two strategies will help AmeriCorps service fulfill its potential to impact local communities both through service and workforce development.

Austin Achieve Public Schools (AAPS) will create two pipeline programs during the upcoming year: one for teachers and one for education administrators. AmeriCorps members who are interested in teaching as a career will have an opportunity to earn their teaching certification during their second year of service through a partnership with a local provider. Similarly, we will develop a pipeline for those wishing to enter school administration careers following their service.

Breakthrough will be developing a variety of support initiatives to set-up year-round full-time members and quarter-time members for the next step after service. A key strategy will be to investigate options for providing a path toward a professional credential such as alternative teaching certification, nonprofit certification, or other transferable and marketable micro-credentials. Breakthrough will also focus on partnership development with colleges, corporations, and community organizations to support the skill development of members and placements in careers.

ChildFund International

ChildFund International’s Workforce Development funding will support the mapping and mobilization of key stakeholders to contribute towards the design of ChildFund’s AmeriCorps Workforce Development “service to career” suite of skills-building, training and other activities. Stakeholders include: 1) Local employers to identify most desired and gaps in workforce skills/competencies (i.e. life skills, digital skills, technical, etc.) among current pool of young employees; 2) A Youth Reference Group of representative youth currently seeking or part of the workforce to develop audio/visual materials highlighting their own and peers’ workforce development perspectives, challenges/needs and interests. Based on input from key stakeholders, ChildFund International will develop and organize suite of resources to support AmeriCorps members exploration of “service to career” pathways and secure a living wage, including:  1) Online career resources and training courses with certification for completion; 2) a database of and “badge” recognizing ‘Youth Friendly Employers’ and 3) Training of Trainers for ChildFund Texas AmeriCorps staff who will implement these workforce development initiatives among AmeriCorps members in the coming years. 

Core to College Possible’s objectives will be the hiring of a Corporate Engagement Manager to serve as a liaison between members and the local business community and create visibility for our members in the Austin job market. Additionally, College Possible intends to create a customizable training program using existing and new systems that identify weaknesses in the member’s hiring profile as well as future career interests and tailor a program of skill-building training to their individual needs. We intend for this to improve members’ post-service career opportunities, as well as be a powerful recruitment tool.

Communities In Schools (CIS) of Central Texas will buildout Next Step, an eight-week service and post-secondary readiness program delivered during June and July beginning in 2023. Next Step will engage recently graduated CIS students as AmeriCorps Members in a service opportunity that is designed to provide both on-the-job training through summer program support and individualized coaching to develop employability skills connected to their post-secondary goal. The workforce development funds will be used to support CIS staff capacity to create this program and to build additional capacity by engaging consultants to design participatory feedback and evaluation activities for the target audience that will directly inform curriculum development and support strategies for program implementation.

Communities In Schools of San Antonio’s (CISSA) AmeriCorps program will develop the next generation of representative and culturally sensitive social services professionals by providing participants with hands-on experience in providing case-management and wraparound support services in the school environment. The COVID-19 crisis has compounded the need for well-qualified social services professionals with the knowledge, skills, and commitment to meet the needs of vulnerable students and families impacted by the long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. CIS-SA will hire a consultant to create a model for individualized professional development pathways where members create a unique professional development plan based on their individual goals with guidance from their Site Supervisor. CISSA will create a network of support and resources for members to prepare to the next step in their career after their service ends.

Imagine Art is offering a workforce development track that is designed to strengthen and prepare AmeriCorps Members for post service employment opportunities. Imagine Art recognizes the need to provide specialized career and workforce development to its AmeriCorps members to ensure a successful career transition after AmeriCorps. These new services will support the member’s basic needs around career planning and execution, career exploration, structured job training, career advising, employment services and access to employer networks.

Reading Partners will develop and launch the RPNTX AmeriCorps Career Pathways program.  In our newly designed program, AmeriCorps members will select one of five offered career pathways at the beginning of their term. Each pathway experience will include courses and professional development activities taught by experts and professionals in fields related to their chosen pathway. In addition to specific pathway work, all AmeriCorps members will take part in resume building, interview and networking practice, and time with an assigned mentor.

Sewa Houston AmeriCorps Program will originate a bold blueprint to foster prosperity for individuals and their communities by providing training, professional and personal development opportunities, and access to employment resources that will maximize success along their career pathway. Sewa will create a workforce development initiative that supports AmeriCorps members in gaining employment upon completion of their service terms by training in a mix of soft and hard skills, using a holistic approach that helps members to interface professionally and enhance eventual on-the-job productivity. Our program will take a long view that focuses on what members need to know in the future to maximize their personal and professional growth and their long-term contributions to their communities.

Teach For America – Texas proposes to launch a statewide career services program, available to existing and recently exited AmeriCorps members in Texas, regardless of their prior service location; this statewide career services program will be coordinated through the Austin regional team, with support from our regional teams in Houston, Dallas – Fort Worth, the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and the national Teach For America alumni team.  First, through this initiative, Teach for America (TFA) would focus on creating systems and guidelines to clearly define the talent matching work, sharing statewide opportunities, and connecting with alumni across regions.  Second, TFA would develop a deeper understanding of where TFA alumni are currently working across the state and identify all organizations across the state that meet the needs of TFA alumni and fall within a catalytic career pathway – school/system leadership, policy, social innovation, and community/civic leadership.

Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) will research and scale best practices to bolster the current TNOYS AmeriCorps Program, a service opportunity specifically designed for Youth and Young Adults (YYA) with lived experiences of system involvement in foster care, homelessness, juvenile justice, and others. Specifically, TNOYS will be exploring options for a certification or credential for work-based learning in the youth services field to ensure TNOYS AmeriCorps members are competitive job candidates. Additionally, TNOYS will research and develop best practices and training on employing YYA with lived experiences and reconnecting Opportunity Youth to work to bolster the youth services field. Finally, TNOYS will leverage their relationship with employers and develop and design a job fair for TNOYS AmeriCorps members so that they gain employment after their term of service ends. 

Texas HIPPYCorps will further establish mechanisms leading to members’ successful transition to the workforce following service. In the first phase of a three-phase approach, Texas HIPPYCorps’ efforts begin with gathering information from former HIPPY members about what supported their transitions to employment, what benefits they gained from their service, what skills they developed, what barriers they faced, and how their experiences impacted their career trajectories and transition to the workforce. This information creates the foundation for developing evidence-based training modules and skill-building activities supporting current and future members’ successful workforce transition and ameliorating barriers identified by former members. The final phase focuses on creating a formal tracking system to trace current and future members’ post-service workforce and education related activities. 

The University of Texas Charles A. Dana Center Literacy First Program will use the planning grant funds to strengthen the AmeriCorps program serving in Austin/Central Texas with a focus on the Bilingual Teacher Certification pipeline and other workforce development pipelines attractive to the non-traditional AmeriCorps member (High School Graduate/Associate Degreed Adults). Literacy First staff will evaluate recruitment practices, design responsive workforce development training specific to the bilingual community, explore additional supports for Adult English learners (as well as Spanish learners) and prepare for piloting workforce development trainings as a result of these activities. The objectives and priorities of this project will be to focus on a more diverse population as AmeriCorps tutors for the Literacy First program including non-traditional AmeriCorps members from the parent community, as well as those finishing high school and early college (Associates Degreed individuals).

As part of this planning grant, West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) proposes to develop a training and certificate program that will focus on the development of skills the panhandle’s regional employers are looking for in current and future employees. These skills will improve the overall employability, economic mobility, and economic stability of members serving with our program. Working with local employers, the University’s Continuing Education Department and Career Services, our local workforce development board, a consulting firm, and other relevant groups WTAMU will build a program for professional development. Partnering with local employers and our region’s Workforce Solutions, we will create a professional network and career pipeline for members that connect them to living wage employment opportunities. Upon completion of their term of service, members will not only be prepared for the workforce, but employers will know members possess the skills they are looking for and recognize them as highly qualified candidates

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!