Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Class 19 Corps Member Spotlight: Melody Jones

Melody Jones, from Berlin, Wis., is a member of Oak 7 in 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. Oak 7 is made up of 10 people from across the country, and they will serve together in a number of service projects across the North Central Region.

“I have a passion for helping others and desire to gain the experience of serving the community,” Melody said.

Melody brings a lot of skills with her to NCCC, which will help throughout her term with the program. She has skills in public speaking and has participated in many plays. She has experience with community organization through working with her church for vacation Bile schools and a program to prepare incoming freshman for high school. She has musical and artistic skills through playing violin, photography, ceramics, drawing, painting and fine metals. Her leadership skills are gained through her previous job as an assistant manager at a movie theater.

Prior to joining NCCC, Melody was working at three separate jobs and looking into options for continued schooling. She graduated from Ripon High School in 2012. After finishing the program, Melody plans to attend a four year college.

Melody is very involved in her church, and it is through them that she was able to gain some very unique experiences. “Through my church I have served on two missions trips, first to New York and second to the Bahamas. On both trips we held vacation Bible schools for children of diverse backgrounds, at several different locations. We told the children bible stories, played games with them, made crafts and provided a snack.”

Oak 7’s current project runs from May 2 to June 25 with Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The team is assisting in the construction of new and rehabilitated homes for this Iowa affiliate. The primary role of Oak 7 will be to assist the A Brush with Kindness (ABWK) program. Cedar Rapids Habitat for Humanity recently received a grant through the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation to add and support their ABWK program. An additional 20 families will benefit from this grant and Oak7 is assisting in the construction tasks. Homes will be in various stages which allows the team to perform a variety of work from framing to roofing and painting. 

Some fun facts about Melody:

Q: What is your favorite movie? Silver Linings Playbook

Q: What is your favorite book? Undaunted

Q: What is your favorite candy? Screaming Savers gummies

Q: What is your favorite food? Tortilla casserole

Q: What is your favorite animal? Big dogs

Q: Who is your favorite super hero? Batman

Q: What is one place in the world you really wish you could visit? The hills of Ireland

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? Walk around outside in the summer.