Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Class 19 Corps Member Spotlight: Kate Yamahiro

By: Rebecca Bigler

Kate Yamahiro, from Pacifica, Calif., is a member of Maple 1in NCCC’s Class 19. She arrived in Vinton on February 5, 2013, to start her 10-month service term on a team of people between the ages of 18 and 24. Maple 1 is made up of 10 people from across the country, and they are serving together in a number of service projects across the North Central Region throughout their term.

“I think choosing to serve for a year stemmed from my participation in something called Sojourn to the Past in high school,” Kate said, “which was basically an educational trip to the South to learn about the civil rights movement. Learning about all our past and current issues with race and racism impressed on me the importance of social justice and working towards something greater than yourself. Serving with AmeriCorps NCCC is one way I am trying to do that.”

Kate brings several skills with her to NCCC, which help her be successful throughout her term with the program. She brings an awareness and appreciation of different types of people and lifestyles, gained from studying abroad and traveling. She also has some experience with volunteering with diverse organizations.

Prior to joining NCCC, Katie was working with Genentech and interning with the non-profit organization America SCORES, which is a soccer and poetry program for children in San Francisco. She graduated from University of Redlands in May 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Race and Ethnic Studies. She also graduated from Terra Nova High School in June of 2007. After finishing NCCC, Kate hopes to see where service with AmeriCorps NCCC leads her, though at some point in the future she plans to attend grad school.

Kate’s studies abroad have given her some experience with cultural diversity. “I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain during college, staying with a homestay family and attending the local university,” Kate said, “It was so interesting to see all the cultural differences between Spaniards and Americans.”

Maple 1 is currently serving from October 18 to November 2 with Genesee County Habitat for Humanity, Flint, Mich. The team is assisting in demolishing and rebuilding single family homes and work/live homes.  One common concern for residents of Flint is the condition of the buildings on the main thoroughfares that border and serve as entryways into the Downtown Flint Neighborhood.  Members are assisting the sponsor in addressing these concerns.  Their tasks include demolition, framing walls, drywall installation, painting, trim work, and landscaping.

Some fun facts about Kate:

Q: What is your favorite movie? Caramel

Q: What is your favorite book? Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

Q: What is your favorite candy? Dark chocolate

Q: What is your favorite food? Japanese

Q: What is your favorite animal? Whales, humpback

Q: What is your favorite super hero? Wonder Woman

Q: What is one place in the world you really wish you could visit? Buenos Aires

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? Listen to music, play soccer, read, movies, Taika drumming