Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Class 18 Corps Member Spotlight: Jaclyn DeFranco

Editor's Note: We occasionally feature the AmeriCorps members and team leaders, so the community can learn more about the people who have come to Vinton to help others. Today's Spotlight is on member Jaclyn DeFranco of Ramsey, NJ.

 

Jaclyn is currently serving as a member of Maple 7 with AmeriCorps NCCC at the Vinton Campus. Jaclyn has a variety of experiences that are assisting her in her success as a Corps Member. She has a background in public speaking, conflict resolution and CPR/First Aid/AED certifications, through her years babysitting, lifeguarding and studying to be a teacher.

 

Jaclyn also has experience traveling. Jaclyn and her brother spent five weeks studying Spanish in Antigua and Guatemala. They lived with a local family and traveled through Honduras and Guatemala meeting diverse individuals along the way. While traveling, Jaclyn saw the destruction that occurred from the eruption of the Volcano Pacaya and Tropical Storm Agatha and volunteered for natural disaster relief in the village of San Miguel.

 

Jaclyn graduated from Ramsey High School in 2006 and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in December 2010 with a degree in Early Childhood Elementary Education. Prior to NCCC, she had been working as a substitute reading teacher in the Reading School District and a server at Ruby Tuesday’s. After her term of service, Jaclyn would like to move to the west coast, find a teaching job and save up enough money to fulfill her dreams of owning a coffee shop. Jaclyn is also thinking about returning to Central America for an extended stay.

 

She and her team are currently serving with The Baldwin Center in Pontiac, Mich. They are assisting with repainting a house and working with youth living in the area. Before this project, Maple 7 was in Youngstown, Ohio serving with the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. They painted houses, secured vacant properties and assisted in the creation of urban farms.   

 

Some fun facts about Jaclyn:

 

Q: What is your favorite movie? The Goonies

 

Q: What is your favorite book? Harry Potter series

 

Q: What is your favorite candy? Sour Gummy Worms

 

Q: What is your favorite food? Friend Chicken

 

Q: What is one place in the world you really wish you could visit? Thailand to see the elephants

 

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? Make jewelry, practice juggling, watch movies, ride bikes, do crafts and read