So You Want to Be An AmeriCorps Member...

Hello! Julie and Holly here.

Each year our program receives upwards of 300 applications from potential AmeriCorps members who want to serve with the Partnership to End Homelessness. With only 30 spots available, it is up to the applicant to stand out in the interview and show dedication and professionalism if they desire to join us. We hope this post will help applicants understand what kind of person we are seeking to enlist in our program. Please read all the way to the end where you’ll see our top tips and tricks to help you nail the interview.

 

 

1.       Compassion to serve those in need. Members work directly with homeless and low-income clients to provide food, shelter, emergency financial assistance, life skills coaching, employment counseling and case management.

 

2.       Commitment and making this position a priority in your life. You must commit one year, 901 hours (if part-time; 1,701 if full-time), to the program. If you leave early, those relying on your services will be negatively impacted and you put our entire program at risk for losing funding.

3.       Cultural sensitivity to those you are working with and serving. Your team and clients will have different priorities and beliefs than you. You must remain courteous and empathetic. Attending diversity trainings and cultural activities will help!

 

4.       Professionalism is necessary because you represent the program, your group, and your clients. Always dress appropriately and speak respectfully.

5.       Initiative to solve issues on your own and think creatively. If you are unsure of the directions to an interview or site, gps/mapquest it and test drive the route before you need to be there. Discover a new idea for a Service Project to meet the needs in the community. Do not rely on others to give you the answers.

6.       Teamwork is essential. This means accepting projects you may not like and doing things for the greater good of your team and the people you serve.

 

7.       Patience in understanding and listening to what your clients are going through. Leave your preconceived judgements at the door. Be open to seeing from a different perspective.

8.       Be an example of what you want to see in others. You will be representing AmeriCorps, your site, your team and your clients. Think of how your actions affect others.   

 

 

 

1.       Research AmeriCorps and the Partnership to End Homelessness before your interview. The very first question we ask in the interviews is “What do you know about our program and what we do.” We can always tell if an applicant has spent time looking at our website or social media. This is an easy way to stand out!

2.       Have strong reasons for why you want to participate. A few completely unacceptable answers we’ve heard include: “I need a job,” “I need money,” and “I don’t know.” You should have a drive to serve others and an interest in homelessness and poverty.

3.       Find us before your interview. It does not reflect positively on applicants who are late, call us a few minutes before the interview because they can’t find us, or who clearly didn’t bother to look at the map that was emailed out. It is always a good idea before any interview to drive past the location and check out the parking situation and make sure you know where you’re going.

4.       Please dress appropriately. While we stress that AmeriCorps is not a job, this is a professional experience. Your demeanor and clothing should reflect this. Do not wear jeans, leggings, or sweatpants.

5.       Have questions prepared. We know that AmeriCorps can be confusing and we genuinely want to answer any and all questions you may have. It makes you look awesome when you come prepared with questions about the program or experience.

 

 

 

Graduation Reflections

We held our 2014-2015 graduation celebration last week, August 13. It was a lovely ceremony and we were so excited to see how many people stayed to eat cake and be merry.

Every year, community members comment on how wonderful it is to hear directly from our AmeriCorps members. We had several members share what they've learned this year and reflect on their service. It's so very meaningful to hear from members this way.

Two members were unable to attend graduation but wanted to share their experiences so we've posted them here. We hope you're inspired by their words the way we were!

From Kerry at Step Up Greensboro:

I joined Americorps because I needed a job and it seemed like a halfway interesting thing to do with my life in this in-between place that I found myself floating in. Over the last the 5 years I’ve moved around quite a bit and have worked several different kinds of jobs, in search of something that I was mildly passionate about. It really wasn’t until I started my position at StepUp Greensboro that I began to feel like I was getting close to that. I began my position as an employment counselor at StepUp, very nervous and greatly lacking in confidence. I felt my age quite keenly as most of the individuals on my caseload were 15 to 20 years my senior, or only a few years younger than myself. I cannot say that, I now am the best case manager in the world, or that I feel like it’s what I should do as a career; but it taught me that I have important things to share and teach to others and that I don’t have to provide all of the answers for someone’s problems. Often, a listening ear and some kindness is much more healing to a person than someone who tries to “fix” them.  I’m so grateful to have had this experience as it’s changed how I do relationships with friends and family, really how I communicate in general.

The encouragement and love that I received from the staff at StepUp has become a large part in my growing-up-metamorphosis and I’m beyond thrilled that I get to join that team in September as the Volunteer Coordinator! I’ve decided to attend Guilford College in the fall to pursue their Community and Justice Studies major, with hopes of pursuing a career that largely revolves around helping others find their way and helping them feel cared for. I could never have foreseen having this kind of direction in just a year’s time, but I’m so happy that it’s happened. Who knows where I’ll end up, but for now, I’m going in the right direction.

From Tiffany at Mary's Homes

Reflections: My time with AmeriCorps and the lives who impacted me

My time with AmeriCorps has finished. There is a part of me that is left feeling a bit saddened. It went by so fast and a  year just doesn't seem like enough time.  There is a lot to reflect on about my experience, but the greatest, most profound moments I had were shared with the women and children I worked with. My role as an AmeriCorps member was case manager working with recovering women and their children who have experienced chronic homelessness. I prepared myself going into this role as an educator; reviewing and refining skills and knowledge I thought would be most beneficial to the clients I would begin working with. Little did I know I would enter into this role as the learner; the women and children I worked with were my teachers.

I want to share with you what I have learned.

There are no silver bullets, people's needs change, and relationships matter more than programs.

Perhaps this set of insights has shaped my work on solving social problems more than any other. The women I have worked with have benefitted from a combination of in-patient treatment, out-patient treatment, support groups, therapy, friends, and mentors. Each could claim them as an outcome. While all were valuable, none were sufficient. Listening to these women, if many of them were to measure their effectiveness, the would rank them by the extent to which they helped to establish relationships that existed outside of institutional frameworks and were there when they needed them most. It was nurturing, supportive, and relevant relationships with peers and mentors who could nurture them, push them, and hold them accountable that have made the greatest impact. And it was mutual support, many women did the same for others. It was a collective, reciprocal support system.

The journey to eaches individual "outcome" was and continues to be a rollercoaster ride. There is not linear causality from any one intervention to outcomes, but a whirlwind during which they need different kinds of intervention and support at different times until they finally settled on a positive, sustainable path. I also know that what worked for one woman would not work for another. Some need a more flexible, nurturing program. Others need a more prescriptive, rigid program. Space is also needed for acceptance; some people require more than one opportunity to succeed. In recovery, when someone fails and comes back, people welcome them rather than shun them. They also understand that some people, due to mental illness, trauma, or other issues may find success more elusive; this is why it is crucial to keep welcoming them back. I would argue with policy makers, funders and other programs who think there are simple, singular solutions to help people living complex lives with changing conditions and circumstances. In the end, it is the support of people not programs that make the greatest difference. The best experts are those who've been there.

Addiction does not discriminate

Race, religion, socio-economic status, education level– none of these are predictors for whether or not a person will fall into addiction. The women I worked with who came for healing, love and acceptance had a variety of backgrounds.

Mentors matter most

I learned that one of the first things one does in recovery is ask someone to be a sponsor -- a mentor to show them the ropes and who is willing to be on call whenever temptation or trouble threatens. Here is where I cultivated a deeper understanding of "mentorship" the value of finding someone who you aspire to be like, learning how they got there, and asking them for help. Seeing these deep relationships with my clients and their sponsors helped me more effectively apply this same lesson within my career and leadership-- and continue to do so, engaging mutual support from peers, an executive coach, and other parents.

Recovery and transformation take time--a lot of time.

Why is it that so many 30-day programs don’t work? Mostly, I realized, because they failed to address the root causes of addictive behavior. “Just say no” is easy to say, and harder to do; rather than simply targeting the addiction, we have to dig deeper and ask what has caused the addiction, and heal that.

" We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.

Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between people when it exists within each one of them--we can only love others as much as we love ourselves.

Shame, blame, disrespect, betrayal, and the withholding of affection damage the roots from which love grows. Love can only survive these injuries if they are acknowledged, healed and rare." --Brene Brown

Own your mistakes and failures

I learned another element of addiction recovery is to make a list of all the things that had been done wrong to others, and a list of all the people who had been harmed.  There were many times I would sit for hours and talk with my clients about these actions, the people who were effectd--many of which were their children--and the everyday struggle it was to take responsibility for, accept, forgive and move forward. Shame and guilt can be a powerful beast. EVERY one of these women described this as a scary, humbling experience. I learned in recovery, you put your cards on the table all the time, admitting weaknesses, failures, and struggles and learn that you are still OK and worthy of love. You learn that you are not alone, and that few are unique in terms of our failures and struggles. It was a powerful lesson that it is OK to screw up, as long as you own it, learn from it, and grow.

However, not everyone is ready to change.

During my time some women were more invested in their recovery than others. It is hard work to face yourself, to own up to your mistakes, and to understand the depth of consequences. Not everyone is always ready for this. Sometimes it takes a long time to be ready.

Welcome and don't judge others' stories

The women I worked with came from different communities, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and sexual orientations. Some had been to jail, had been gang members, teen parents, and affluent young adults. I walked in thinking I knew them all from my instant, biased judgments. Then I began learning their stories -- their passions, struggles, and dreams. I realized how ignorant my biases were, found what we held in common, valued our differences, and felt grateful for the privileges I now understood that I had despite my challenges. As I began going to meetings and support groups with some of my clients, I was often surrounded by an even more diverse mix of adults. At my first meeting, I sat with three senior citizens, a handful of women who looked my age, middle aged white men--many different people. I deepened my relationship building and tried not to assume I knew anyone's story until I listened to it. I have learned there are people in recovery whose attitudes, quirks, or opinions can drive me crazy. Some choices I do not understand completely. I am learning everyday to cultivate my empathy, patience, and acceptance. I have to allow myself to be pleasantly surprised by those I've judged, which has happened many times. This work and experience has solidified my belief to never to define someone by the biggest mistake they've ever made, as I certainly never want to be defined that way.

Practice acceptance, forgiveness, and gratitude

I've also learned from persevering through many struggles and tragedies, and watching many others persevere through even greater struggles and tragedies than my own, to be more accepting and grateful of life on life's terms. The serenity prayer has been a mantra for many of the women I worked for years: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. These women have helped me see that know that no matter what happens, if I maintain perspective, remain grateful, and reach out to others for help, I will persevere. They are perserving and it is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.  Most importantly, I am reminded that I cannot control many situations, only how I react to them and grow from them. It is not easy and I can forget in reactive moments, but these lessons have helped me through many personal and professional struggles. These women have shown me the graciousness of gratitude for many lessons learned "the hard way."

One afternoon sitting and having a conversation with one of my clients, she described an unfathomable act of violation to her as a child that continued into her teenage years. While telling her story, she looked at me and said if she did not forgive that person would always control her life, her peace, her ability to love and be intimate and ultimately her sobriety. My heart was both heavy and full of admiration for her. How could she forgive? I sat with this question for many weeks. Thinking about her. One morning, sitting and having coffee I just broke down and started crying. This woman, in all of the human ugliness she had experienced was able to extend a beautiful part of humanity--forgiveness. I've learned through her just as I wish for forgiveness when I've wronged, I must always be willing to forgive when I've been wronged. Resentment is like drinking poison and hoping someone else dies. Forgiveness isn't automatic, it requires owning mistakes and changing, but it must always be available.

Pay it forward!

Recovery is predicated on servant leadership -- as we learn and grow, we are responsible to pay it forward. I feel that responsibility and know that I cannot deny help to someone else that has been provided to me. We share our stories, as I do now and these women have done so graciously with me, to offer each other our lessons and hope. We are ever interconnected to one another, responsible to each other for support. It is important to share and pay forward this support.

During my service, one of my clients, who have five years into her sobriety, would speak with me about one of her friends; a friend battling an addicition to crack cocaine. He had been to treatment, meetings and had support. When he would leave treatment, they would we met a few times to talk, attended a recovery meeting, and she would advised him on a fairly standard program for his first 90 days and offer him the best support she could. It wasn't working for him, and when he rejected her and others' advice, she worried that he might not be truly ready or committed to change. He earnestly argued for an alternate path he felt would work better. Knowing that he is responsible for his own choices, she just asked him to be honest if he starts struggling and be willing to then try a different way. They've continued to spend time together and he recently celebrated six months sober. She called me two weeks before my last day of service to share in her joy and the gratitude he had extended to her for her support. I couldn't help but smile. She was paying it forward and I was able to be a spectator in such a fruitful happening,  but I'm also quite thankful to HER for grounding me back in my story and helping me continue practicing these principles, learning, and growing.

Understanding how change happens in people's lives, seeking mentors, owning mistakes, suspending judgment, letting go, forgiving, and paying it all forward -- these are priceless leadership lessons  I've learned in an unusual way. I'm certainly not perfect at them, but they've been a great set of insights and principles to guide my life and leadership. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity, to be in some small way a part of these women's lives, and with greater gratitude, for them to forever be a part of my life.     

 

Spotlight On Out of the Garden Project

 

Throughout the service year many members have asked what exactly I do at Out of the Garden Project; the job while easy to explain is very hard work.   In April of this year, our members participated in a service project at my current site, Out of the Garden Project.  While members were present at the warehouse they worked on packing mobile food pantry bags with foods from Second Harvest Food Bank which are distributed to families at our mobile food pantries as part of their food box.  Other members also assisted in loading up our cooler with recently donated produce from local stores.  This produce is also distributed to local needy families at our mobile food drops.  Members serving at Peacehaven Farm assisted their clients in re-packaging donated pizzas that are also passed out to these needy families. 

OOTGP started out as one family packing backpacks on their kitchen table for 6 families at their daughter’s school and has grown into the largest non-profit of its kind in the Piedmont Triad.   At this time, we package and distribute backpacks from donated foods to schools in Guilford County and also do the same in High Point with food donated by the United Way of High Point. We distribute 65-80lbs of food at mobile food pantries located in both Greensboro and High Point, we have developed a partnership with Greensboro Child Development to assist them in passing out foods to their needy families, and we are doing a summer feeding/enrichment program at  3910 Clifton Road that will allow children to be fed breakfast and lunch and participate in learning activities.    This year alone, the project is estimated to distribute more than a half-million pounds of food through the programs listed above.  With the Operation Backpack and the 18 per month free Mobile Food Pantries we serve more than 50 schools and 2,500 families monthly.  Each week during the school year we serve more than 15,000 meals in Guilford County. 

This site is some of the hardest work ever but it also the most rewarding.  It brings a smile to my face to see kids being so excited about the fresh foods that they are receiving.  This project has touched my heart and I truly believe in their mission as I know from experience we are all one pay check away from needing someone to help us. 

To learn more about Out of the Garden Project, please visit their website.

-Written by April, who serves at Out of the Garden Project. April will be returning to our program and OOTGP for a second year!

Malisha's Favorite Service Project

Each month we are required to attend service projects where we do varied projects to help out at a local organization and/or nonprofit group. Our April 2015 service project was held at Peacehaven farms, a local farm in Whitsett, NC that provides housing for developmentally disabled people. The Farm helps with teaching their clients life skills, social skills, and farming. We helped with raised gardens by covering them. We had a couple overnight freezes in April which could have been disastrous for the Peacehaven crops. We were also asked to turn the ground to make it easier for the clients to plant spring crops. It was really fun to get down and dirty with the Peacehaven clients and the Mayor of Peacehaven. We also played a game of group Feud, which was hilarious.

Learn more about Peacehaven by visiting their website here.

This post was written by Malisha, who serves at Greensboro Urban Ministry.

Homelessness vs. Criminality

The following post was written by Shawn, an AmeriCorps member placed at Greensboro Urban Ministry. Shawn is also a Probation/Parole Officer. Along with 2 other Probation/Parole officers that are members of our program, Shawn conducted a training for our group in May.

I thoroughly enjoyed conducting the training “How to deal with ex-offenders”. The first part of the training surrounded self-defense. This was not to instill a fear of ex-offenders but a tool to have for a possible need of protection. Many ex-offenders have violent pasts, anger issues, or mental health issues. Learning how to defend oneself is a very necessary tool when dealing with this group of individuals.

            The Americorps members and staff that were present were fully engaged and contributed to the fun, laughs, and learning that was experienced. Kristy, April and I demonstrated several moves and the members practiced the moves on their own.  Me: “ Defense stance, move!”  Amercorps members: “Get Back!”  This rang in my ears for the next 24 hours.

            As the training progressed I had the members think about the reasons for homelessness and how closely they were related or the same as the reasons why people commit crimes. Unfortunately, a significant  part of the homeless population are ex- offenders and often times  “being homeless” and “being an ex-offender” becomes synonymous.  In some instances, we must learn to separate the 2 and apply a course of treatment and referral that is appropriate.

            Playing devil’s advocate, should we treat them as the same if we determine that ending homelessness could reduce crime?  In actuality, the very people living on our streets are more likely to be the victims of crime rather than the doer. Statistically speaking, 20% of people who are homeless commit crimes. However, these crimes are usually acts of survival such as prostitution, shoplifting, theft, etc., They are usually acts that they feel will improve their situation.

            Let us not ignore the criminal activity at the homeless camps. This is a place where police are not called and criminals blend in while criminal activity goes undetected. As an Americorps member 1^st and a Probation Officer 2^nd. I can see both sides of the coin.  We should not treat homeless people as criminals and not all criminals will be homeless.  On the flip side if we can eliminate homelessness, we can reduce crime. There will be no homeless people to commit crimes against, homeless people will not have to break laws to survive and there will be no camps for the real criminals to escape. 

            In some ways criminality and homelessness blend together. However, both activities can definitely have different approaches to the solution and negative assumptions about either one should be set aside. I have only recently reached this conclusion after serving as an Americorps member.  Before my service my thoughts were consistent with the vast majority.  In Americorps, we are not only serving our community, we are learning and growing as individuals.

 

 

Spotlight on Step Up Greensboro

To give you an accurate picture of StepUp Greensboro, I’m going to need you to close your eyes. Imagine that you have just a few (or no) reliable people in your life. Imagine that you’ve been working dead-end, minimum wage jobs for your entire life. You never got your high-school diploma, and you might have spent the last 10 years of your life in prison and have little to no work experience. Every single job interview you go to ends in disappointment and rejection.  

Now, imagine yourself being told that there is hope for your future and that you are, in fact, employable. Imagine being told that you are a person of worth, who is now a part of a family that will be there to support you as you transition into a new life-system. This is a priceless thing to observe on the Monday morning of Job Readiness class week at StepUp Greensboro. Some are skeptical as we, the staff, introduce ourselves and give words of encouragement and welcome, but as the week progresses, they begin to open up and connect with the staff and their fellow participants.

StepUp provides an open window to people who feel that they are stuck in a dark place. Beyond learning how to write a resume or talk in an interview, you learn about who you are. You learn how to be a better person in all of your relationships and how to face fears with strength.

Working at StepUp has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It has caused me to break outside of myself and move forward in life, for the sake of helping others do the same. It has helped me to be a more authentic person, and it pushes me to be a woman of integrity. I’m surrounded each day by the StepUp staff, who I now consider dear friends, and they speak truth to me and by example, they remind me to place others ahead of myself.  I’ve learned and am constantly digesting that it’s okay to fail at something and not crumble, but to learn and do better next time. I will forever be grateful for being placed here and know that there is a permanent stitching on my heart from this lovely place.

This post was written by AmeriCorps member Kerry. To learn more about Step Up Greensboro, check them out online at http://stepupgreensboro.org/.

Big Brothers Big Sisters + Black History Month

Why is Black History important for young people? Unfortunately, many schools exclude the contributions of Blacks.  This lack of information can be the driver for an accelerated down hill slope.  It may lead to a lack of a sense of culture, pride and heritage for African American children.  In turn, this may lead to an attack to an African American child’s self -esteem and self- worth, ultimately ending in a lack of motivation for success for the African American child. 

Black history is also important for children of all races and ethnicities. Learning the history contributes to cultural awareness, the broadening of perspectives of the lives of others, and understanding milestones.

Two organizations clearly understand the importance of celebrating and learning the accomplishments and plights of African Americans in history. Americorps Partnership to End Homelessness and Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Greensboro.

 

On Feb. 25^th , the two organizations partnered together to create an afternoon of fun and  education as they celebrated Black History month with the children of BBBS. The event was held at the BBBS headquarters in Greensboro, NC.  Approximately 16 children from the ages of 7-12 were invited to participate.  As an Americorps member, I was elated to Chair this event. The young group kept the Americorps members on their toes with their enthusiasm and energy. The older group amazed us with their knowledge and higher than normal level of maturity.  The children had to pick a buddy from the Americorps member to hang out with for the afternoon. Amber, with her bubbly and inviting personality was the first one picked. The order of events consisted of icebreakers, “get to know you time”, dancing, snacks and drinks, and a very competitive trivia competition.  Prizes were awarded to winners and non winners. Everyone was a winner that afternoon.  The Americorps members ages range from 18-63. It was extremely entertaining  to see them step out of their comfort zones as they did the Harlem Shake with their little buddies. Rythmless??? YES! But that did not inhibit them from making sure that the children were having a good time. We ended the event on the theme of “happiness”.  As we played Pharell’s “Happy” song, we went around the room as the children expressed what they were happy for or what made them happy. Certain eras of Black History can be depressing, so we wanted the kids to grasp on the “now” and how African Americans are moving forward.

The children (and the adults) had a blast. But most importantly they learned a lot about many facets of Black History during a very fierce and intense trivia competition. They learned how African Americans made a huge contribution to the development of the arts, technology, science, world trade, religion and philosophy.

Thanks to all of the Americorps members and staff at BBS who participated. Special thanks to Holly, Terri, Ms. Ruth, Breah,  and Magena for making this an awesome Black History month event. A very special thanks to Out of the Garden Project for providing food for the children.