4 October AmeriCorps Alumni Spotlight: From Service to a Career in Serving Families October 4, 2021 By Sarah Short AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Member Stories, Impact Stories, Member Impact Story 0 Nick Jones served the community in Columbus, Ohio, at Children’s Hunger Alliance during the 2005-2006 AmeriCorps project year. AmeriCorps members at this program serve in afterschool programs and teach nutrition education (Food Folks) and physical education (CATCH) to children attending these afterschool programs. Through Food Folks, children learn the importance of a healthy diet and how to choose nutritious foods. The CATCH program encourages non-competitive, active, and fun physical activity. Currently, Jones is the Director of Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Q: What was your role as a member? What community issues did you address? A: I facilitated nutrition education (“Food Folks”) and physical activities (“CATCH”) for students in the Columbus City Schools district. We addressed childhood hunger, healthy eating and living and obesity. Q: How did you first learn about AmeriCorps and why did you decide to join? A: I first learned about AmeriCorps from an advertisement in the paper. I decided to join because I already had a passion for serving my community and was fresh out of college trying to determine what was next. I heard Children’s Hunger Alliance was a terrific organization. Q: What was your favorite memory from serving? What did you enjoy most about your experience? A: I was fortunate to co-emcee an Ohio AmeriCorps gathering that brought thousands of AmeriCorps members to Columbus and the Aladdin Shrine Temple. The relationships I built with the students was most enjoyable. Q: How has AmeriCorps service influenced where you are today? A: AmeriCorps grounded me in the career I’ve committed to over the last 15 years. Without my AmeriCorps service, I would not be doing the work I am today. Q: Would you recommend joining AmeriCorps to your peers? Why or why not? A: ABSOLUTELY. I’d love to see national service as a requirement for all young adults. It is not only humbling, but a most enjoyable, educational opportunity to serve your community. To learn more about the AmeriCorps program and to read more alumni stories, click here. Related Posts AmeriCorps Alumni Spotlight: Improving Diversity in Medicine Through AmeriCorps Service In 2020-2021 AmeriCorps project year, Gavin Wu served with Corps for Rural and Urban Successes in Health (CRUSH). Wu's service inspired him to continue providing opportunities in medicine to marginalized populations. Wu is currently a student at The Ohio State College of Medicine. AmeriCorps Alumni Spotlight: Addressing Mental Health Through AmeriCorps Service Gurneet Raina served at Corps for Rural and Urban Successes in Health (CRUSH) from 2013 to 2015. Raina's service year was an inspiration to apply to medical school and then eventually pursue psychiatry. Gurneet Raina is currently a second-year psychiatry resident through Summa Health. AmeriCorps Alumni Spotlight: From City Year to City Council Elizabeth Brown served with City Year in the 2002-2003 AmeriCorps project year. Brown worked to promote literacy and service learning. Brown now serves as a city council member in the City of Columbus. A New Service Year is Here! How Ohio’s AmeriCorps Programs Orient Members for Service The 2019-20 AmeriCorps program year has begun! Across the state, Ohio’s 23 AmeriCorps State programs are kicking off with orientations that prepare members for their intensive terms of service. AmeriCorps Alumni Spotlight: An Inspiration to Build Connections Rayven Peterson's service at OhioServe, Educational Core has been "instrumental in my aspirations and goals for my career in counseling." Peterson is currently a first-year post-bac Doctoral student in the University of Kentucky’s counseling psychology program. AmeriCorps Alumni Spotlight - Mackenzie Bower AmeriCorps impacts members’ lives in more ways than they plan. For alumna, Mackenzie Bower, AmeriCorps instilled in her a passion for service that will carry with her far beyond her completion of the program. Learn more about Mackenzie’s service experience and what she’s up to now. Comments are closed.