Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Class 19 Team Leader Spotlight: Alyssa Valcourt

By: Rebecca Bigler

Alyssa Valcourt, from Fitchburg, Mass., is the Team Leader for Oak 3 in NCCC’s Class 19. She arrived in Vinton on January 8, 2013, to start her 11-month service term leading a team of people between the ages of 18 and 24. Oak 3 is made up of 11 people from across the country, and they will serve together in a number of service projects across the North Central Region.

“I chose to do a year of service because I wanted to give back to my community and travel,” Alyssa said “I am still so young and did not want to be tied down to a job or go back to graduate school right away. Doing a year of service will give me even more experience working with different organizations and people while travelling to different states that I have never gone to. I feel like it will help me grow and help me better appreciate what I have and what I can be.”

Alyssa has several skills that she brings with her to the Team Leader position. She has leadership skills and a passion to make a difference in the community. Another trait Alyssa says that she is her ability to try to find a positive side to everything. That will be a useful trait as she guides her diverse team through the various projects they will take on during the year.

Prior to joining NCCC, Alyssa was finishing up her last semester of college by doing an internship in Washington D.C., working with refugees who were just coming into the United States. She graduated Bridgewater State University with a bachelor's degree in sociology with a concentration in global studies and a minor in African studies. She also graduated from Fitchburg High School in 2009.

Alyssa has a unique experience that has really driven her passion to give back. “I went to Tanzania for three weeks a couple summers ago,” Alyssa said. “I went for a class and we stayed at a community center that not only had a school, music studio, and art building, it had a house for children who might have lost their parents or are better off living at the community center. While there, I really learned a lot about what a community is and how everyone can work together to get what they absolutely need. It was a great experience that I will never forget.”

Oak 3’s first project is working St. Paul, Ind. with Flat Rock YMCA. The team is addressing four key needs of the program including: targeted renovation, program expansion, facility preparation, and program delivery. Members are involved with activities such as the construction of a safety and handicap accessible trail, painting the exterior and interior of cabins, constructing a horse trail, and assisting with teaching environmental education and recreation classes to 4th through 7th grade students.

Some fun facts about Alyssa

Q: What was your first job? Cashier at TJ Maxx

Q: What is your favorite movie? The Lion King

Q: What will be your first words of advice for your team members? “Be ready for anything.”

Q: What is one place in the world that you really, really wish you could visit? Morocco

Q: What is your favorite candy? Reese’s

Q: If you could come back as an animal which animal would it be and why? A giraffe. They are tall and can see not only in front of them but what lies ahead.

Q: Are there any sayings your parents repeated over and over that you can still remember clearly? “You need to finish your dinner to get dessert.”

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? Hang out with my friends, kayak.

Q: Could you give us one reason to join AmeriCorps NCCC? I wanted to see more of the US and help out in a way that really impacts the community.