Et cetera : NCCC Corps Class 21 Spotlight: Patrick Valdez

By: Marilyn Ponce Name: Patrick Valdez Hometown: Gilroy, CA Patrick Valdez from Gilroy, California is serving on team Oak 2 in AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Class 21. He arrived in Vinton in February of 2015 to start his 10-month service term with the program. Before his term of service, Patrick went to Gavilan Junior college for one semester, worked at a local coffee shop during the weekdays, and for his father’s landscaping business on the weekends. He looks up to his father, Jose Valdez, who faced many challenges when first arriving to the United States from El Salvador and did not speak a word of English. Now, Jose is a successful man living the American dream with his family. Patrick enjoys travelling, experiencing new cultures, and recreational activities such as hiking, skateboarding, and snowboarding. He is an adventurous spirit and hopes to one day go on a backpacking trip to Brazil. In addition, he wants to become a certified rock climber and go on a trip to Yosemite to climb to the top of “El Capitan”. Patrick has also taken a 2 month long back packing trip to the Hawaiian Islands when he was only 19 years old. During that time he met people from all around the world and realized he was determined to make a change. It was then he decided to join AmeriCorps and dedicate part of his life to service. Patrick says, “I chose a year of service with AmeriCorps to seize the opportunity to better my life, other’s lives, and help my country”. Oak 2 served on their first project with YMCA Store Camps in Jackson, MI removing invasive species from the land that the camp uses as an outdoor classroom. The team led educational invasive species removal sessions with students in which they educated the community on proper techniques to remove invasive species. The team also assisted in the creation of a Natural Playground and will serve as cabin leaders for schools groups for one week. “I’m glad to get my hands dirty and build a natural playground to help the kids find it’s better to be active outside than to be hooked into their electronics.” says Patrick Valdez from Gilroy, California. For their second project, team Oak 2 is serving with the Forest Preserve of Cook County from April 30 through June 10 restoring the land to its natural state by removing invasive species such as buck thorn, honeysuckle, and barberry. After completing the program in November, he plans on being an EMT to pursue his dream of becoming a fire fighter.