Si Yu’os Ma’ase’ & Farewell

Dear Friends and Fellow Alums,

After much reflection, I’ve decided it’s time to close this chapter and say goodbye to this blog. What started as a small space to share stories, insights, and lessons from my AmeriCorps journey has grown into something deeply meaningful to me—and I hope, in some small way, meaningful to you too.

Through the posts, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with many of you: passionate, service-minded individuals who believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back. You have reminded me that the spirit of AmeriCorps doesn’t end when the service term does—it carries on in how we live, lead, and support one another.

Though the blog is coming to a close, the mission continues. Keep building, keep serving, and keep showing up for the causes that matter. And never forget the impact we can make—together.

“Getting things done” may have been our motto, but it’s also our legacy. Thank you for being part of it.”

AmeriCorps Alum, Dr. Rivera, Presents at GDOE Library Conference - April 8

AmeriCorps Alum, Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera (center), was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation at the Guam Department of Education School Library Program Conference on April 8, 2025, for her presentation titled, Unlocking a Richer and Fuller Life in Guam, the Pacific Islands, and Beyond.  Pictured L-R:  Julie Tainatongo Naputi, Dr. Steve Taylor, Dr. Sylvia Taylor, Jovita Alcantara, Dr. Rivera, Sheena Tudela, Solange Prudente, and Jennifer Woodard.

Biba Anu Nuebu!

Happy New Year!

Biba Anu Nuebu!  May the year 2018 bring you much love, joy, peace, and happiness!

Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!

Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!

~Minagof Nochebuena ~Felis Pasgua (Chamorro)
~Maligayan Pasko (Tagalog)
~Peren en Krismas (Pohnpeian)
~Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin (Marshallese)
~Falang e Baynag (Yapese)
~Tok Tapeng (Kosraean)
~Ungil Kurismas (Palauan)
~Pwapwan Kirisimas (Chuukese)
~Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
~Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layi Luugh me raagh fee (Carolinian)

Congratulations to AmeriCorps' Newest Graduates!

AmeriCorps Week: March 4-11

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from around the Pacific! May the year 2017 bring you many blessings filled with much love, joy, peace, and happiness!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! - English
Biba Añu Nuebu! – Chamorro
Feliz Año Nuevo! – Spanish
Peren En Parakapw! – Pohnpeian
Engan ke ya sasu! - Kosraean
Jeramman ilo iio in ekaal! – Marshallese
Pwapwan Ei Ier Mi Fo – Chuukese
Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu – Japanese
Ungil Beches Er Rak! – Palauan
Selsalan Ebéach e duw! – Yapese
Maligayang Bagong Taon – Tagalog
Hauoli Makahiki Hou – Hawaiian
Sehe Bokmanee Bateuseyo! – Korean
Gung Hay Fat Choy – Chinese
Cung-Chuc Tan-Xuan! – Vietnamese
Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layúi Luugh me raagh féé! – Carolinian

Image source: howtolearn.com

Remembering...The AmeriCorps Pledge

Happy New Year from around the Pacific!

Happy New Year from around the Pacific! May the year 2016 bring you many blessings filled with much love, joy, peace, and happiness!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! - English
Biba Añu Nuebu! – Chamorro
Feliz Año Nuevo! – Spanish
Peren En Parakapw! – Pohnpeian
Engan ke ya sasu! - Kosraean
Jeramman ilo iio in ekaal! – Marshallese
Pwapwan Ei Ier Mi Fo – Chuukese
Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu – Japanese
Ungil Beches Er Rak! – Palauan
Selsalan Ebéach e duw! – Yapese
Maligayang Bagong Taon – Tagalog
Hauoli Makahiki Hou – Hawaiian
Sehe Bokmanee Bateuseyo! – Korean
Gung Hay Fat Choy – Chinese
Cung-Chuc Tan-Xuan! – Vietnamese
Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layúi Luugh me raagh féé! – Carolinian

Image source: howtolearn.com

AMC Opening Day

During the last 21 years, 950,000 men and women have joined AmeriCorps to make our country stronger. At the AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary on the South Lawn last year, President Obama conducted a simultaneous, nationwide swearing-in of AmeriCorps members in every state and territory.

On October 16, we will welcome the new class of AmeriCorps members in a nationwide swearing-in pledge ceremony at AmeriCorps Opening Day events coast to coast. 

We are asking every member, alum, grantee, elected official, family member, best friend and neighbor to join us in celebrating this important day. Please share this graphic on Facebook and Twitter (or any other social media) and change your profile picture to show support for AmeriCorps. 

We can’t wait to see the positive change that AmeriCorps members are bringing to communities across the country.

AmeriCorps Alums News - April 10

Dear Alum, Last week, Mary was excited about the health benefits of Kale Cupcakes, and Ben was ready to win at Pac Man in Google Maps. So… while we may have been hoodwinked by these amazing April Fool’s hijinks, we still say we’re no fools! Rather, we’ve been on the road, alongside some of the most passionate national service champions. Together, we’re working to ensure everyone has a chance to serve and to be connected to what they need to live a life of service. We were proud to partner with Chelsea Clinton & Jimmy Kimmel’s launch of the#NationalNinjaWarriorSquad (no joke!) and then share the big announcement thatthe first university has joined Employers of National Service. We’ve also been speaking directly to the talent that’s ready to step in and lead, AmeriCorps members and alums. Mary was in rural Maryland speaking to Corps members and staff with Volunteer Maryland about “Life after AmeriCorps.” That same week, Ben talked with the Points of Light’s Corporate Service Council about why the 21st century skills built in AmeriCorps are exactly what their companies are looking for. Coming up in the next few weeks, there are two opportunities to connect with us to support your life after service. Join us for our upcoming Financial Coaching webinar and Virtual Grad School Fair. Keep reading for other so-great-it-seems-like-a-trick-but-it’s-not-because-Alums-are-just-that-cool news below. In Service, Ben & Mary P.S. BREAKING - Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2015 Conference onVolunteering and Service! View and build your itinerary, see the schedule at a glance and more! The road to Houston starts here --> http://bit.ly/POLConference #ServiceUnites “I started my service with City Year full of excitement and motivation,” says AmeriCorps member Amanda Salapong. “I was ready to change the world in just 10 months. When I got to the midpoint of my service, however, I realized I had been sprinting to the finish line of a marathon. By mile thirteen, I was ready for a new pair of shoes and a Powerbar.” Read more about how Amanda got her motivation back. When you can’t find the road you’re looking for on a map, where do you turn? St. Louis alum and Chapter Leader Mandy Zoelzer turned to AmeriCorps. Mandy shares, “I had just come back to the states after living in Australia for a year and had one wish – grow up and have a boring career job. I loved school, but I was graduating soon without a clue where to head next. My brother suggested AmeriCorps, a program I’d never heard of.” Read how Mandy traded in the idea of a dead-end job for a more exciting and fulfilling life of service instead. CHANGING THE ODDS FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES AmeriCorps service connects many of us to vulnerable communities. That experience changes us, and for some, inspires a lifetime commitment to tackling inequality. Meet three alums serving as advocates for underserved children, youth, and families (Kenneth Kirton pictured at left). Read more about key insights they shared from their work and find a link to our webinar roundtable conversation. NATIONAL NEWS ROUND-UP May 6th Virtual Grad Fair – Register for Free NOW Intern with AmeriCorps Alums in D.C. or Atlanta AmeriCorps on ABC’s The Middle Celebrate Women-Led Service and Nominate a Women of Worth More Proof that AmeriCorps Works Gen. McChrystal Challenges Candidates to Take a Stand on Service AmeriCorps Alumni Speak at Hollywood Service Event Launch Check Out #Mayors4Service Q&A on the National Service Tumblr with Alum Dayne Walling

Points of Light Enterprises:     HandsOn Network    |     generationOn    |    Corporate Institute    |   AmeriCorps Alums

Easter Greetings!

Have a blessed Easter with family and friends!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from around the Pacific! May the year 2015 bring you many blessings filled with much love, joy, peace, and happiness!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! - English
Biba Añu Nuebu! – Chamorro
Feliz Año Nuevo! – Spanish
Engan ke ya sasu! - Kosraean
Gung Hay Fat Choy – Chinese
Ungil Beches Er Rak! – Palauan
Selsalan Ebéach e duw! – Yapese
Peren En Parakapw! – Pohnpeian
Hauoli Makahiki Hou – Hawaiian
Pwapwan Ei Ier Mi Fo – Chuukese
Sehe Bokmanee Bateuseyo! – Korean
Maligayang Bagong Taon – Tagalog
Cung-Chuc Tan-Xuan! – Vietnamese
Jeramman ilo iio in ekaal! – Marshallese
Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu – Japanese
Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layúi Luugh me raagh féé! – Carolinian

Image source: howtolearn.com

Guam AmeriCorps Alumna Contribution: Guam Council IRA October 2014 Newsletter

Click on the newsletter above to view this month's issue.

Guam AmeriCorps Alumna Contribution: Guam Council IRA September 2014 Newsletter

Click on the newsletter above to view this month's issue.

October 2014 Newsletter

In This Issue 1. Building a Movement to Better Our Country 2. Who's Been Talking About AmeriCorps Alums? 3. Does National Service Influence Your Vote? 4. ALUMS Spotlight: Meet Alums in International Careers 5. Alums News, Tools & Resources   This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of AmeriCorps NCCC Corps member Sheldon Allmon (18, of Auburn, CA) whopassed away over the weekend. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and the AmeriCorps NCCC community. In honor of Sheldon’s memory and legacy, we encourage the Alums community to join the #DayofGray and wear your “Grays” this Thursday, October 16. For more information and to share a picture of you in your greys today and throughout the week, please visit our Facebook page or share with #DayofGray and @AmeriCorpsAlums on Instagram or Twitter. Building a Movement to Better Our Country Dear Alum, On the anniversary of AmeriCorps last month, President Obama said, “People who love their country can change it,” and he was talking about YOU! The anniversary was incredible (see our recap here), and we’re not slowing down. We are working harder than ever to connect you to the people, ideas, and resources you need to succeed in your life after AmeriCorps.   Just last week—we hosted Eric Schwarz, the Co-Founder of Citizen Schools for a conversation in Atlanta on The Opportunity Equation in education. Ben swore in over 70 new AmeriCorps members starting their service with the Community Emergency Preparedness Corps and Veteran Leader Corps. Then, we were in D.C. for the BoardSource Leadership Conference and NCoC’s Annual Conference on Citizenship where Mary, with alums Jeffery Richardson from the DC Service Commission and Kelly Tsai, a performance artist, engaged the 300+ audience of civic engagement thought leaders on the pipeline from service to leadership and the formative role that AmeriCorps plays. Our organization remains steadfastly committed to growing our resources and professional supports for the community, such as our 5 Top Resources for Your Career or Virtual Grad School Fairs that connect you directly to interested grad school recruiters and scholarships. We also know there are lots of things we need your help in achieving together – and only by strengthening this network and community can we be successful. So will you help us double our network and double our impact? Invite your fellow alums to say, “I’m a proud AmeriCorps alum living the pledge” and join us today. In Service, Ben Duda and Mary Bruce AmeriCorps Alums Co-Executive Directors P.S. We need you! Forward this email to two Ameri-friends, and ask them to click here to join the Alum network today!  Who's Been Talking About AmeriCorps Alums? The 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps was an exciting celebration of service and leadership – because of you! Not only did our stories and pictures trend on Twitter(!), but AmeriCorps members in Maine flaunted their best socks with President George H.W. Bush, Conservation Corps members carved an A into a tree, and once again we raised our hands to get things done for America, our year of service and beyond. Check out our 20 favorite moments from the twentieth and our media roundup - “Who’s Been Talking about AmeriCorps Alums?” Interested in even more photos? Check out our photo album on Facebook! Does National Service Influence Your Vote? Do you know where your elected officials and candidates stand on education? The environment? Healthcare? Social Security? How about national service? All too often, our elected leaders are silent on national service because they don't view it as an issue that matters to their voters. We believe this has to change, which is why we partnered with ServiceNation in launching a new effort calledNational Service Voter. In order to elevate national service as a critical issue for our country, we need to stand up and identify ourselves as National Service Voters. Will you join us and ask your candidate where they stand on national service? Click here to learn more and become a National Service Voter. ALUMS Spotlight: Meet Alums in International Careers AmeriCorps Alums highlighted two AmeriCorps alums working in international roles as part of our International Careers Series that profiles leading alumni of AmeriCorps working in international and intercultural careers. Read how alum Leah Hoffman began sharing traditional Ghanaian meals as a way to connect with her students inside and outside the classroom, and learn her tips for finding an international teaching position. If you’re interested in international development positions that tackle challenging global issues, read “Faced with a Wicked Social Problem? Speed up your Learning Cycle” from Michael Gale, Senior Program Manager at GlobalGiving. Keep up with what’s happening next in our International Careers Series and network with peers advancing in international careers here!

Guam AmeriCorps Alumna Contribution: Guam Council IRA April 2014 Newsletter

Click on the newsletter above to view this month's issue.

AmeriCorps Alumni News - 3-1-14

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a webpage.  February 2014          Issue: 3    When you were an AmeriCorps member, you wore your 'A' with pride. To showcase the ways AmeriCorps makes a difference, we asked members and program staff to share creative 'A's in their classrooms, offices, and service sites. The "Day of the A" helped us highlight all the people serving across the country as part of our ongoing recognition of the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps. An Education Jobs Pipeline As part of the AmeriCorps 20th anniversary, national and local officials visited Stanton Elementary School in Washington, D.C., to mark the first anniversary of the School Turnaround AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps members serving with City Year show a commitment far beyond their term of service. Tayler Stuger ('13), an alum currently at Stanton Elementary, talks about how these AmeriCorps members helped turn around one of D.C.’s lowest performing schools -- and chose a career in education as a result. Opportunity Through Innovation Several young men from the service network joined President Obama to launch the My Brother’s Keeper initiative, a new effort aimed at empowering boys and young men of color. CEO Wendy Spencer will be a member of the new federal task force that the President is forming to guide this effort. We are proud of our ability to help young people reach their full potential through programs like AmeriCorps and the Social Innovation Fund. AmeriCorps members like you and your fellow alums have provided thousands of young people facing overwhelming odds an opportunity to transform their communities and their own lives through the power of service. Professional Opportunities Apply Now! We currently have 7 positions seeking applicants at CNCS: State Program Director (Baton Rouge, LA | Deadline:March 4) State Program Director (Charleston, WV | Deadline: March 6) Logistics Assistant (Sacramento, CA | Deadline: March 6) Director for Research and Evaluation (Washington, D.C. | Deadline: March 7) Program Analyst (Washington, D.C. | Deadline: March 10) Fleet Manager (Vicksburg, MS | Deadline: March 13) Program Support Assistant (Atlanta, GA | Deadline: March 13) You can always see all of the open job descriptions at CNCS through a targeted search at the USA Jobs website. Helpful Links Outside of the federal sector, AmeriCorps Alums provides numerous opportunities to build on your service. You can learn about their career development program, register with your local alums chapter, and more. Education Month Special! Find staff positions at education-focused AmeriCorps programs: Citizen SchoolsCity YearCommunities in Schools Jumpstart Reading Partners Teach for America Read... and Move! Greetings Alumni, If you've been paying attention, you know that we've been highlighting education all this month as part of the AmeriCorps 20th anniversary. This message gives you some of our brightest February highlights... now to March! On the heels of the fourth anniversary of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, we'll continue to celebrate the anniversary with Healthy Futures Month. To get started right, the First Lady wants you to show us your moves! Show us what you got on the AmeriCorps Facebook page. Warmest Regards, Wendy Spencer, CEO Corporation for National and Community Service Save the Date Mayors Day of Recognition for National ServiceApril 1, 2014 National AmeriCorps Swearing-In CeremonySeptember 12, 2014 Connect With Us Questions? Contact Us SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences  Unsubscribe Help This service is provided to you at no charge by Corporation for National and Community Service. This email was sent to mnrivera1@yahoo.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: Corporation for National & Community Service · 1201 New York Avenue, NW  · Washington, DC 20525 · (202) 606- 5000 · (800) 833-3722