COVID-19: How AmeriCorps Is Helping

COVID-19 : How AmeriCorps Is Helping

Throughout West Virginia, AmeriCorps volunteers are finding creative ways to help during COVID-19. 😊❤️

As a Preserve WV AmeriCorps volunteer, Virginia Shimek shares local history at the Barbour County Historical Museum and Adaland Mansion in Philippi.

In the wake of COVID-19, Virginia wanted to find a creative way to serve her community. She partnered with the West Virginia Medical Mask Army to start a medical mask hub in Philippi .

Through the project, volunteers can pick up free supplies and sew masks for local medical professionals. Virginia's AmeriCorps site, The Barbour County Historical Museum, serves as the hub in Philippi.

The community is grateful to have a way to help. "I'm hearing from volunteers that sewing masks is giving them a sense of control during a time of uncertainty, and I agree," said Virginia. "The West Virginia Mask Army is quite literally saving lives and has created a sense of community despite physical distance."

Through the project, over 30 volunteers in Barbour County have made over 500 masks. Thank you Virginia for organizing this project!

To find a West Virginia Mask Army hub near you click here .

More AmeriCorps Stories!

Blog: How AmeriCorps is Helping Students During COVID-19

By Angela Collier, LifeBridge AmeriCorps

When schools first closed for the COVID-19 pandemic, I couldn’t even begin to understand how I, as a mentor, could reach out and help our students effectively.

We’re usually very hands on with the students we mentor and this already sounded very far fetched and even impossible. Read More

AmeriCorps Mentors Continue to Serve Schools

COVID-19 has left many students feeling frightened, worried and overwhelmed. During this time of need, Education Alliance AmeriCorps Mentors are continuing their service mentoring 900 students in 35 schools across West Virginia.

Here is how they are helping:

Virtual mentoring including phone calls, emails, video mentoring sessions.

Mailing home letters to students and families.

Checking in with students to encourage them to complete homework packets.

Virtual book reading and shared reading with students.

Collecting food donations for community food banks.

Thank you to these AmeriCorps members like Mykaela Handschumacher (pictured above), we are grateful for you!

AmeriCorps Volunteer Starts a Virtual Craft

and Hobby Program for Students

During COVID-19, AmeriCorps volunteer Bobbi Mitchell was inspired to create a virtual mentoring program where students can learn hobbies and crafts at home.

Bobbi is an an Educational Alliance AmeriCorps VISTA serving at the NASA Education Resource Center in Fairmont.

Through the program, volunteers are able to teach past times such as cooking, painting, and gardening. The videos are recorded virtually and then shared with the students.

Through the project, Bobbi has recruited over 25 volunteers to create videos for students. She also recently partnered with High Rocks in Hillsboro to serve students in their program.

"I think this program is going to really help a lot of people in need in West Virginia and really broaden our scope on what our community can do during difficult times," said Bobbi.

Interested volunteers can sign up here , to learn more about the project contact Bobbi Mitchell .

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COVID-19: How AmeriCorps Is Helping

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