Et cetera : NCCC Corps Class 21 Team Leader Spotlight: Michelle Avelar

Michelle Avelar from North Bergen, New Jersey is serving on team Oak 1 in AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Class 21. She arrived in Vinton in January of 2015 to start her 11-month service term with the program. Oak 1 is made up of eight people from across the country who serve together around the Midwest.

Before her term of service she graduated from Rutgers University in 2014 with a degree in Labor and Employment Relations, Human Resources Management. Afterwards, she worked at a law office as a secretary and legal assistant.

Michelle talks about her motivation for joining the program, “NCCC had everything I was looking to do during my gap year/postgrad. My family has shown me the importance of giving back and NCCC allows me to gain experience while doing so. It's also an opportunity to find out what my strengths are and hopefully helps me decide what path to take after completing my year of service. I have also loved helping others and being involved so I hope it allows me to see what career paths are out there for me.”

Oak 1 served on their first project in Iowa City with Habitat for Humanity where they helped rehabilitate and gut four homes by hanging sheet rock, siding and roofing. In addition, members also removed drywall, flooring, doors, gutters, cabinets and molding. Finally, the team installed new items into homes to prepare them for home ownership.

On their second project the team assisted the Pawnee City Historical Society in Nebraska by helping clean and repaint buildings historically significant to the community. In addition, the team maintained the Historical Society’s museums and other properties that they own by dusting and cleaning artifacts, tractors, and pictures. Finally, the team gave tours around the museum about Pawnee City’s local history for elementary students and tourists.

They are currently on their third project in Detroit with the Michigan Community Services Commissions assisting with two parts to a long-term flood recovery effort in Southeast Michigan area. The team is performing need assessments of flood victims in person and by phone. In addition, members are mucking and gutting basements by removing mold infestation, throwing away damaged items and cleaning up dirty areas. Finally, members are providing information to residents about home hazards due to environmental factors and how to reduce their occurrences.

After completing the program in November, she plans taking her LSATs and apply for law school to become a lawyer.

Some fun facts about Michelle:

Q: What is your favorite TV show and why? Parks and Rec because of the strong female role played by Amy Poehler.

Q: What song best describes you? Michelle by The Beatles

Q: If you could have a superpower what would it be and why? To fly so I could be more of a world traveler

Q: What is the most challenging and/or exciting thing you have done? Changing my major in University and gathering up the courage to know that I needed to change and do some soul searching.

Q: What is one thing you can’t live without? My support system of family and friends

Q: What is one thing you would like to try but have not had the chance? Climb a mountain and go sky diving