Volunteer West Virginia announced today the release of their
2017 Annual Report. The report highlights how volunteer programs, like AmeriCorps, are tackling some of West Virginia’s toughest challenges – creating jobs, helping Veterans, mentoring youth, and more.
According to the report, of the AmeriCorps members serving in West Virginia, 90% go on to pursue a degree or find a career opportunity as a direct result of their AmeriCorps service.
"There are so many great examples of how volunteering through AmeriCorps helped link someone to their future career," said Heather Foster, Executive Director of Volunteer West Virginia.
"For example, Arron Neely-Seams helped to organize hundreds of flood recovery volunteers as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the Greater Greenbrier County Long-Term Recovery Committee. Arron has been unstoppable in the community ever since and is now the newest member of the Lewisburg City Council," said Foster. "Or Christina Cowley, who made such in impact in Fayette County helping with flood recovery, she was asked to stay on as a full-time employee at the United Way of Southern West Virginia."
Each year more than 1,100 individuals serve as AmeriCorps volunteers in West Virginia. Many volunteers serve in their hometowns, while others come from across the country to make West Virginia their home for the year.
AmeriCorps volunteers tutor and mentor children; provide children with nutritious meals through summer months; address the issues of homelessness and poverty within our Veteran community; develop heritage sites and preserve historic towns; and recruit and manage volunteers.
AmeriCorps programs do more than move West Virginia communities forward; they also serve the AmeriCorps members themselves. In exchange for a year of AmeriCorps service, volunteers receive a living-allowance, an Education Award for college or student loans, and work experience.
From empowering a laid off coal miner to find a new career helping fellow Veterans, to becoming the Mayor of Beverly, this is all possible because AmeriCorps helped someone take their first step. To learn more about these stories and the impact that AmeriCorps and Volunteer West Virginia are making in the state
click here to view the
2017 Annual Report.