Hi, I am Luke Docherty, a second-year AmeriCorps member
serving with Downriver CARES and the Guidance Center. I am placed within The
Guidance Center’s Juvenile Justice Day Treatment Program in Southgate, Michigan.
I serve with youth ages 13-17 on juvenile probation and help transition them
from their placement/detention centers to community-based schools. Downriver
CARES (Community, Action, Resources, Enrichment, and Service) has 53 full time
and 10 part-time members serving Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. The Downriver
CARES AmeriCorps program is truly special because all of our members
participate in a group service event every Friday with different Metro-Detroit non-profit
organizations and our placement sites.
The 2012 Michigan’s AmeriCorps Week started on Monday, May
14, at the Belle Isle Conservancy for AmeriCorps members in the Downriver CARES, City Year Detroit, and Urban Safety Project programs. In total, 130 AmeriCorps members, volunteers, and AmeriCorps Alums came out to help restore the Belle Isle Zoo. The day was spent clearing fence line, removing invasive species, and performing general clean-up.
Following the Metro-Detroit area service project, it was time again for the Russ Mawby Signature Service Project. Each year, members from all of the AmeriCorps programs within the state join together for this group service project. This year, the project was located in the Grand Traverse area. We partnered with amazing local non-profits in the area, including SEEDS, the Conservation Resource Alliance, Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, the United Way of Northwest Michigan, and the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District.
During the 2012 Russ Mawby Signature Service Project, more than 300 Michigan’s AmeriCorps members, alums, and community volunteers helped make a difference for the Grand Traverse region. The amazing service projects lead to some great outcomes including: 6,855 feet of new trails were built, maintained or improved; 100 trees were planted; 600 feet of fencing was removed in a wetland; 450 feet of fence was built; and many other outstanding projects. Together, all of the volunteers and members contributed more than 2,700 hours of service during this remarkable project. The service accomplished made, and will continue to make, a huge impact on the Traverse City communities, as does the service completed in our own backyards.
Though the Russ Mawby Signature Service Project is all about the service, it is also an outstanding way to get to know the remarkable AmeriCorps members throughout the state. Being able to interact and really get to know everyone truly makes this event special, and it truly speaks volumes that a group of people who are unfamiliar with each other can join together and get so many things done. First-year Downriver CARES AmeriCorps member Amanda Severino agrees, stating, “Joining together and sharing in the joys of service puts the AmeriCorps dream in perspective. Knowing that amazing service is being done everyday, not just in our specific programs but all around the state, is a refreshing feeling.”
In closing, I would like to thank everyone who was apart of this year’s Signature Service Project; you all have made this one of the most memorable experiences.
Following the Metro-Detroit area service project, it was time again for the Russ Mawby Signature Service Project. Each year, members from all of the AmeriCorps programs within the state join together for this group service project. This year, the project was located in the Grand Traverse area. We partnered with amazing local non-profits in the area, including SEEDS, the Conservation Resource Alliance, Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, the United Way of Northwest Michigan, and the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District.
During the 2012 Russ Mawby Signature Service Project, more than 300 Michigan’s AmeriCorps members, alums, and community volunteers helped make a difference for the Grand Traverse region. The amazing service projects lead to some great outcomes including: 6,855 feet of new trails were built, maintained or improved; 100 trees were planted; 600 feet of fencing was removed in a wetland; 450 feet of fence was built; and many other outstanding projects. Together, all of the volunteers and members contributed more than 2,700 hours of service during this remarkable project. The service accomplished made, and will continue to make, a huge impact on the Traverse City communities, as does the service completed in our own backyards.
Though the Russ Mawby Signature Service Project is all about the service, it is also an outstanding way to get to know the remarkable AmeriCorps members throughout the state. Being able to interact and really get to know everyone truly makes this event special, and it truly speaks volumes that a group of people who are unfamiliar with each other can join together and get so many things done. First-year Downriver CARES AmeriCorps member Amanda Severino agrees, stating, “Joining together and sharing in the joys of service puts the AmeriCorps dream in perspective. Knowing that amazing service is being done everyday, not just in our specific programs but all around the state, is a refreshing feeling.”
In closing, I would like to thank everyone who was apart of this year’s Signature Service Project; you all have made this one of the most memorable experiences.
No comments:
Post a Comment