Mayor's Day of Recognition for National Services

The second annual Mayor's Day of Recognition for National Service was quite the success, especially here in Greensboro. Many people don't even know this day exists but it wont be that way much longer- our mayor, Nancy Vaughn, declared April 1st the official Day of Recognition for National Service in Greensboro, North Carolina. The day is put aside for the community to appreciate National Service around the nation, making our country an even better place to live. 

Mayor Vaughan and AmeriCorps member, Lana

AmeriCorps and Seniorcorps members met at UNC Greensboro to be recognized for the impact they're making daily, and to share their own experiences with other members and the community. One of our own members, Lana Skrypnyk, spoke on Americorps Partnership to End Homelessness on our behalf and did an amazing job- even throwing in her recent acceptance to UNCG's graduate school. 

 

AmeriCorps member Lana Skrypnyk

The introduction of Mayor Vaughn was incredibly impressive- she's been more than involved in Greensboro before she was elected mayor. Mayors around the country used this day to point out the importance of national service and the role it plays in local communities to the people in the community and national policy makers. The fact that our mayor chose to participate in this day of recognition (it isn't something any mayor HAS to do, our mayor last year didn't attend) says how much she actually appreciates the service we, as a people are doing. Mayors use national service to solve local challenges, while engaging citizens to participate and volunteer in their own community and coming from someone who has actually done those things means much more. Mayor Vaughn joked that we kept clapping for her when in reality we were the ones deserving to be clapped for and thats what this day was about- thanking us for what we do. 

It was empowering to me that although we did have different communities we focused our service on, no one is less important than another. The fact that there are people of all ages, races, political backgrounds, and cultures brought together by the want to make our city a better place to live means more to be apart of an organization like this than I ever thought it could. 

AmeriCorps members Amber, Connie, Malisha, Lana, and Chianti

 

Mayor's Day of Recognition for National Service was more than just getting recognized for what we do, it was being able to share and listen to what other groups do in our community and how even though each program is different, we all have the common goal of bettering our city. 

"The AmeriCorps Partnership to End Homelessness program provided me with a unique opportunity to interact directly with the homeless population, which has been a life-changing experience for me. It has allowed me to interact personally with those experiencing homelessness and, upon hearing their stories, I've learned that the stereotypes about homeless people are untrue, and I now see them as the unique, hardworking and passionate individuals that they are. As a Ukrainian immigrant, the program allows me practice my United States citizenship and give back to the country that has given me so much. Through this experience, I have found my passion for public service and will be attending UNCG's MPA program in the fall in order to learn how to better serve the public in the future and advocate on behalf of those who cannot advocate on behalf of themselves." -Member Lana speaking during the event

 

-Amber