Et cetera : Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Unites With AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps

NCCC FEMA Corps Team Leader, Ashley Merchant, scales the brick tile to make sure it is even.

By: Laura Dennis

The National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) FEMA Corps team, Pine 3, united with the Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity (CVHFH) on September 20 and 21 for its first mini service assignment. Pine 3 worked with CVHFH on their “A Brush with Kindness” program doing exterior landscaping. “A Brush with Kindness” is a program run by the CVHFH that helps low-income homeowners by offering exterior home improvements.

The landscaping that Pine 3 completed involved constructing a patio in the homeowner’s backyard. This involved filling the ground with sand, and measuring and leveling brick tiles. They also painted and caulked the house’s exterior trim and filled the surrounding garden beds with fresh soil to prepare for growing flowers.

This project represents the very first service learning experience that the Class 19 NCCC FEMA Corps has taken part in. AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps member, Rebecca Bova, gave her thoughts on this assignment saying, “This experience really brought all of us together as a team. I’m excited for the future, and all the hard work and determination really shows me that Pine 3 can accomplish anything.”