THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NCC C ATLANTIC REGION
GET TOTHE POINT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 04, 2014
Staying Connected. AmeriCorps NCCC can become your home away from home during your service year, just ask Fox 4 members, but it also can become a lifelong connection. In this issue check in with various program alumni!
GET TO THE POINT | June 4, 2014 1
CONTENTS
IN THIS
ISSUE 04
Gallery
06
Team Leader Staff Spotlight Get to know the behind the scenes of a Support Team Leader Role. Also, you’ve spent time with him during PT, get to know Dernard Willliams.
I’m a member of the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps Program.
↑ Moments “behind the
favored resources, the “Spark
Adriana Bayona, Stewart
People” calendar.
Mills, Kim Courcy and FEMA A awards banquet.
Counselor Corner Review one of our counselors
support Team Leaders,
Calvin Landrum during
NCCC members are 18 to 24 and spend 10
08
uniform” traditional
09
Alumni Spotlight
months getting things done for America while
Meet Alumni Kelly Mix who was
developing their own leadership. We serve
interviewed by Fox 2 Lucas Swope.
on teams to help communities prepare for and respond to disasters, build homes, and help the environment.
10
Alumni Spotlight What new skills will you take with you once you leave the
To learn more, visit NationalService.gov or call 1.800.942.2677
program? Kat Moulton will fill you in on hers.
12
Gallery
14
Alumni Spotlight
CONNECT WITH AMERICORPS NCCC ATLANTIC REGION Marcia Simms Community Relations Specialist (CRS) Phone: 202.489.5251● Email: msimms@cns.gov Adriana Bayona Community Relations Support Team Leader (CRSTL) Phone: 443.758.4573 ● Email: Adriana20.nccc@gmail.com
Feel the FEMA connection with Emily Brown as she views her service year in full.
15
Hear the input from a recent
Facebook.com/NCCCAtlanticRegion @AmeriCorpsNCCC NationalService.gov
Alumni Spotlight graduate.
17
Team Map Traditional Teams are out on Round 2 while the Fox Unit is back on campus for Transition.
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BULLETI N B O ARD
Wishing Fox Unit a healthy and safe summer break! (June 6th - 15th)
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(Left) Buffalo 2 members cutting back invasive species in Tuscarora State Park.
↑
(Right) Can you handle the heat!? Jeremy Flores, Phoenix 2 Team Leader can!
← Moose 5 members in action out in the field.
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Raising the roof! Lucas Moore of Raven 3 is busy on the York Habitat for Humanity worksite.
← Wes Harbison of Buffalo 3 getting things done out in Martha’s Vineyard. ↓
“AmeriBirthdays” are a real thing! Austin Olson of Raven 3 enjoying his birthday celebration thrown by his teammates.
← Collaboration between teams is awesome! Fox 4 and Fox 6 members, Bakari Jones and Victoria Sanchez, during a CAP (recruitment) event.
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SUPPORT TE AM LE AD ER ROLE
Do YOU want to be an STL?
The role of the STL (Support Team Leader) is often unseen, since teams spend a majority of their year in the field and most correspondence takes place via email and phone calls. In the next few issues of “Get to the Point” we will highlight the individuals in these roles and their work. They all live on campus and throughout their year of service all Traditional Support Team Leaders are required to lead a composite team (a temporary team comprised of Corps Members from permanent teams) while FEMA Support Team Leaders are required to spend at least three weeks out in the field. Though generally available when needed for any type of work, STL’s all fall under either a department or a unit to support.
Unit Support
Department Support Program Department (PDSTL)
Assigned to a unit but report directly to Deputy Regional Director of Programming. Support in the overseeing of the POL (Project Outreach Liaison) and SLI (Service Learning Initiator) Specialty Roles.
Traditional Unit Department (USTL)
Assigned to various units and report directly to their respective Unit Leaders. Act as a liaison between field Team Leaders and Unit Leaders. Jacks of all trades, USTL’s do a little bit of everything from site visits to collecting and filing paperwork and helping take care of members while they are back on campus.
Community Relations Department (CRSTL)
FEMA Unit Department (USTL)
Assigned to a unit but report directly to Community Relations Specialist. Support in the overseeing of the CAP (Corp Ambassador Program Representative) and Media Representative Specialty Roles.
Operations Department (OPSTL)
Assigned to a unit but reports directly to Deputy Regional Director of Operations. Support teams on campus and in the field with supplies, tools and many varying needs.
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Sharing the same responsibilities as Traditional Support Team Leaders, FEMA USTL’s are assigned to various units and report directly to their respective Unit Leaders. Sharing the same duties as Traditional USTL’s, FEMA USTL’s can also act a “floaters” supporting various departments for certain projects or events or spend extended time out in the field per FEMA Headquarters request.
ST AFF SPOTLI GH T
Mr. Dernard Williams “Doggonit!!” The Atlantic Region Support Service Specialist Who are you?: Dernard Williams , Support Service Specialist Where are you originally from?: Pixley, California Education: SOHK, or the School of the Hard Knocks What is your work history?: With the US ARMY for twenty three years. Department of Energy contractor two years. I’ve been with NCCC… for five years. Come to me when you need…Supplies or just to talk. Any hobbies?: Fishing. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?: Tried to make an underground disco literally underground but didn’t’ have the right explosives to move dirt. Got shut down by dad because of a big mouth brother. Where is the most beautiful place you’ve visited?: Berchtesgaden, it is a municipality in the German Bavarian Alps. In your spare time you…love spending time with my wife, children, grandchildren when they are down, my church family and helping out in the community when possible. What is your favorite movie?: Facing the Giants Who do you admire?: Jesus Christ What is your favorite quote?: Chronicles 7:14 - “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” What is your favorite food?: Anything my wife cooks; once her hands touches it there isn’t anything better. What is one of your goals?: To help bring in one of the greatest revivals in America.
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COUNSELOR CORNER
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Kelly Mix // Denver, Tundra 1
By: Lucas Swope, Fox 2
How did you find out about AmeriCorps NCCC? I was introduced to NCCC after serving as an AmeriCorps Vista for a summer semester. I served as a Vista at Rollins College where I graduated with my undergrad. After graduation I was accepted to serve in the Peace Corps. After some “soul searching” I determined that the Peace Corps was not the route I wanted to take. I have been heavily involved in service throughout my life and knew that I wanted to continue down that path and decided the NCCC was the right fit. How did NCCC impact your life? NCCC FEMA Corps impacted my life in more ways that I could ever describe in a 3-4 sentence summary. I will say that the largest impact that I had from the program was the relationships that I made with my team and their direct influence on me as a leader and as a professional in the workplace. I learned more from my team in 10 months than I could have from any other job and any other single experience- they changed me forever and for the better. What was your favorite project? My favorite project during my term of service was without a doubt being deployed to the Center of Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Alabama and working with the first ever IMAT Academy. During our three month deployment to Anniston my team and I worked to plan, organize, and assist with the delivery of the Academy. We worked to facilitate efforts between the Command Staff, the CDP staff, EMI staff and the students. What is your favorite aspect? My favorite aspect of NCCC would be the team facet. There is no other opportunity other than the military where you will have the opportunity to live alongside 9 other individuals from all different backgrounds, geographic locations, socioeconomic statuses, etc. Learning to accept, love, work, and live with people who you may have nothing in common with is a unique opportunity that results in individual growth that is beyond measure. What are you doing now? After my experience in NCCC FEMA Corps I accepted a position with FEMA. I am working for the Agency and for the Emergency Management Institute as a Training Manager. I am an IM CORE, meaning that I travel roughly 300 days a year to the field to facilitate and manage training efforts. I am currently working at the Emergency Management Institute on a curriculum development project. I have been working for FEMA for nearly 7 months now and couldn’t be happier. NCCC without a doubt assisted me in getting where I am today.
Most memorable ISP? The most memorable ISP that I participated in with my team was working in Dallas Texas with the Texas Tree Farm. What made it memorable was that my entire team made an effort to attend and this was the first time we were truly able to get our hands dirty while serving in FEMA Corps. After a hard day’s work in the sun weeding, mulching, and planting new trees my team and I explored downtown Dallas all together.
FEMA CORPS // Class XIX B GET TO THE POINT | June 4, 2014 9
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Kat Moulton // Class XV Perry Point Traditional Corps Member
By: Jamie Berent, Moose 2
How did you find out about AmeriCorps NCCC?: I found out about AmeriCorps NCCC from Craigslist. I was looking on Craigslist for jobs in the Austin area and I came across the Texas Environmental Corps which led me to the main AmeriCorps website and the NCCC program. So, out of all the AmeriCorps programs NCCC sounded the most interesting. How did NCCC impact your life?: AmeriCorps NCCC got me the job I have now in an indirect way. It took me to communities I would have never gone to and I fulfilled needs that I didn’t even know existed. And I found the service work very rewarding and it led me to stay within the nonprofit world. What skills did you gain?: I gained tangible skills (gardening, roofing, basic construction skills) I was trained as a wild land firefighter, my team was also stationed in Georgia so I became boat safety certified. I also learned how to drive large government vehicles. The nontangible skills I learned were patience, I learned to adjust my leadership management style, I think I also learned the art of compromise and in general I learned how to cohabitate with the same group of people. What was your favorite project?: My favorite project was the University of Georgia’s Marine Extension. We were able to go out on boats into the inner tidal waterways. And throw out bags of oyster shells and pallets, and then when the tide went out we would plant those along the shoreline to prevent erosion. What is your favorite aspect?: I like that regardless of why you joined the program eventually it feels like you have reached a common goal either with your team, sponsor, or the community as a whole. You can see the results of the work that you do as well as the development in people by the end of the program. My favorite parts of the program are both the tangible and nontangible changes by the end of the program. What are you doing now?: Now I work in the disaster response and recovery field as a Program Director. My job description is to deal with people, partners, and money in an effort to help repair homes in the aftermath of disasters. Most memorable ISP?: At the aquarium I was able to hold a baby sea turtle, and clean out fish tanks. Any additional information you would like to share?: Some of my advice to current and future corps members is “do your dishes because that is the one thing you will hate each other for.”
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RECIPE
Frozen in the Summer A quick fix for when you don’t have time to cook!
B
usy can sometimes be an understatement when describing a typical week in the NCCC world. You and your team have anywhere from an eight to ten hour work day followed by team meetings and physical training at least three times a week. Also don’t forget to make time for your specialty roles and staying connected to friends and family back home. Depending on your skill level or your general interest level, cooking dinner can be your first thought or possibly an after thought in planning your day. In comes the “quick fix” of the crockpot. This method consists of preplanning frozen meals, gathering all the ingredients and then using them when needed. You could prep all your meals on a Sunday night, freeze them separately and then put them in the crockpot each morning before heading out to work. The options are unlimited and can range for all types of food preferences. Check out these easy recipes and see if one speaks to you and your team to try.
BBQ Cranberry Chicken:
No Bake Dessert:
2lbs boneless chicken meat
1 box vanilla pudding
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1 box vanilla wafer cookies
16 oz (1 can) cranberry sauce
2 medium ripe bananas
1 cup BBQ sauce
Whipped cream topping
Combine all ingredients and freeze
Mix pudding in separate bowl and thinly sliced bananas
When ready for use, cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours.
Layer wafer cookies, sliced bananas and pudding
Top with whipped cream topping and enjoy!
Southwestern Vegetarian Corn Chili:
2 bags of Boca “ground meat” (Soy protein blend)
3 cans petite diced tomatoes
2 cups medium salsa (use your favorite)
1 can corn (undrained)
2 cans of black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 pack of ranch seasoning
1 pack of taco seasoning
Combine all ingredients and freeze
When ready for use, cook for 4-5 hours on low
Serve with toppings of your liking: shredded cheese, tortilla chips, sour cream, cilantro etc. GET TO THE POINT | June 4, 2014 11
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(Top) The members of Moose 2 are just too tough on their rebuilding site in New York.
→ Buffalo 3 member, Rhiannon Williams, has no problem making new friends. ↓
(Bottom) Have the members of Raven 1 finally reached super hero status? They’ve definitely made new friends during an ISP (Independent Service Project) opportunity.
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↑
Have you met my friend Abe?! Iain Haukka of Fox 2 has,
→ (Top) Fox 5 members participating in the setting up of a JFO (Joint Field Office) in Florida. → (Bottom) Fox 3 members during their community mapping adventures in Havre de Grace MD. ↓
Rufus Eady of Moose 5 is ready for the workday with all his gear.
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t’s been just over 6 months since I’ve graduated from FEMA Corps Class 1 (Pacific Region) and I am surprised and happy to say that for once in the last year and a half, NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED. Last year was a whirlwind of traveling, adventure, learning, and growing. In a matter of 10 months, my team, Gold 4, had seen what felt like a whole new world. California, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Oklahoma, Texas, and even Arkansas for a brief moment! Between all of the traveling and last minute project switch ups, it was hard to remember where we were when we woke up in the mornings. But this constant state of slight confusion must have been what forced our team to bond over the course of the term. Round 1 in Washington was a learning experience for everyone on Gold 4. It seemed as though, despite our team being the only team above the 45th parallel North and totally isolated from the rest of our campus mates, word had gotten around extremely quickly about our “Yurt Situation”. We were living on Tolt MacDonald State Park in Carnation, WA in 2 yurts. The main prob-
Gold 4
Pacific Region Class XIX B
I
Emily Brown:
By: Adrienne Gonzales, Fox 5
lem was that there were only two yurts reserved for us. One for boys, one for girls. The yurts were meant to sleep 2-5 people comfortably with a maximum of 7 people able to sleep at all in each yurt. There were 7 girls on our team and 3 guys. Let’s just say, the guys had the better luck that round. 7 girls in a yurt can get very crowded. Luckily our resourceful ladies started to hang clothes through the slats on the walls of the yurts. No closet? No problem! By Round 2, one of our teammates had decided the program wasn’t for her and another teammate had been promoted to Team Leader for a different team on our campus. Gold 4 was changing, but we headed to Oklahoma anyway. I can remember the entire team being so excited to be around more teams; our last “solo mission” as we called them, was long and lonely. However, shortly after our arrival to Oklahoma City, we found out that G4 was yet again being sent on a “solo mission” to Le Flore County, Oklahoma... LE WHAT!? News like that always comes as a shock. Luckily this side trip was only a week long, and our housing was 20 miles from the Arkansas border so we found a Waffle House within the
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ALUM NI SPOTLI GHT 25 mile radius and ate our hearts out. It was the little Rumbles. I work at Umpqua Bank part time, and I am freedoms like these that helped keep us all sane while working on finishing my Associate’s degree at Seattle waiting to get back to the other teams yet again. Central Community College. The journey I had in AmeriCorps is one I carry with me into my future. Our Final round was a true test of endurance in Texas. We loved our project sponsors, and we were really thriving as a team. But at the end of the day, you could tell everyone was thinking of home. The looming reality of leaving each other and the Corps soon was getting to us. We were all emotional, we were all scared for what happens in Life After AmeriCorps, and we were all just plain tired. We had worked tirelessly for almost 10 months at this point and even though we didn’t know what would come next, most of us were ready for a change of pace (a much SLOWER pace) and to take what we had learned with us back out of the Ameri-Bubble and get on to the next chapter in our lives (whatever that may be). For me, that next chapter in Life After AmeriCorps ended up starting off in Seattle, WA. I currently live with my boyfriend, Pete (Gold 2 Alumni) our roommate, Caila, and our two apartment cats Henry and
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Abagail de Gregoris // Class XX A
Otter 4 Corps Member
By: Elliot Olson, Fox 3
Q: How was your overall experience in AmeriCorps NCCC? A: I was home sick in the beginning; however my team leader and teammates helped me to strive through this. I was very weary of all the traveling involved, but our time in the van was some of my favorite. I was also worried that I would not fit in with everyone else on my team. Early on I discovered that AmeriCorps is very diverse in all people that they recruit. Overall my experience was a very positive and life changing one.
Q: What did you gain from your time in AmeriCorps NCCC? A: I gained valuable life skills such as the ability to manage my time. I also learned very quickly that it was OK to ask for help, especially in difficult situations. We were all there to support each other, and that I can lean on others for support.
Q: How do you plan to use what you gained in FEMA Corps in the real world? A: I learned to work better on a team, and can use this experience to work better the next time I am in a team setting. Also, I can cope much better with stress now, and will apply that each day. What I learned in FEMA Corps was a good way to grow as a person, and how to work with people who have different strengths and weaknesses, and learn how to grow as people, a team, and as friends.
Q: What are some memorable moments from your ten months? A: My favorite moment was when my team had our first day below 40 degrees in South Dakota and we realized that layers of clothes are our friends. Another favorite moment was when we were in Boston for the Boston Marathon. We went to support the troops and runners/bicyclists who were there. It was a hard day for me because it really hit home because I remember the marathon and where the bombs went off.
Q: What advice do you have for future Corps Members? A: Definitely ask alumni whether it is Traditional or FEMA Corps about their experience because of the differences between the two. Since FEMA Corps is so new, there is not a lot of information about it out there, so they will be helpful in telling you what it is like. A great unit leader once told me that you will have the best day, and the worst day of your life during your time with AmeriCorps NCCC. When I first heard that I did not believe it, but after experiencing it, I know it is true.
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TE AM PROJE CT M AP
Where are they now? Round 2
x6 All FEMA Fox Unit Teams are on campus for Transition!
BUFFALO 1 Buffalo, NY
MOOSE 2 Garden City, NY
RAVEN 2 Moonachie, NJ
City of Buffalo - Urban and Rural Development
NECHAMA - Disaster Services
BUFFALO 2 Tremont, PA
MOOSE 3 Stroudsburg, PA
Volunteer Center of Bergen County - Disaster Services
Schuylkill Headwater Association - Environmental Stewardship
Streamside Camp –Environmental Stewardship
BUFFALO 3 Edgartown, MA FARM Institute - Infrastructure Improvement BUFFALO 4 Baltimore, MD Southeast CDC - Environmental Stewardship MOOSE 1 New York, NY World Cares Center - Disaster Services
MOOSE 4 Claryville, NY Frost Valley YMCA - Environmental Stewardship MOOSE 5 Wells, ME
RAVEN 3 York, PA Habitat for Humanity York – Urban and Rural Development RAVEN 4 Pittsburgh, PA
Wells Reserve - Environmental Stewardship
Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh - Urban and Rural Development
RAVEN 1 Baltimore, MD
PHOENIX 1 Suffolk, VA
Baltimore County EPA & Sustainability - Environmental Stewardship
USFWS - Disaster Services
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Shout outs! “I would like to give a shout out to Sarah Goakey for consistently working hard, and displaying more leadership.”
“Shout out to my Team Leaders for hanging in there and preserving.”
WILLIE M4 TL
SHARON KELLOGG BUL
“BIG SHOUT OUT to Team Noel, you guys are awesome!”
THOMAS F4 TL
“To Roger: Thank you for all your time and commitment to us.”
“Shout out to our lovely temporary roomie K!”
THE FOX UNIT TL’S
STL’S
“Thank you Calvin and Kim for all your help and support.”
DARA ABRAHAMS MSS
“Thank you for all your help with the CCR’s Stewart!”
“STL’s: Thank you for all your help with FEMA A graduation!”
DERNARD WILLIAMS SSS 18 GET TO THE POINT | June 4, 2014
PROGRAM DEPARTMENT