News : Endeavors into Service-NCCC Style

Bryan Staniewski, Team Leader Natalie Shedd, and member Matthew Heckenliable, learning CPR.

C.5 Team Leader Natalie Shedd, C.4 Corps Mem. Matthew Heckenliable, C.5 Corps Mem. Rodrigue Lamour

There are certain things in life that are indescribable. The feeling that one gets while performing service to others is one of those indescribable things. Class 17 members, while only having been in training for 2 weeks have started a journey that many of them will struggle with explaining to others for the rest of their lives. Training is an essential part of AmeriCorps NCCC, and while members are anxious to begin their projects and start serving in communities across the Midwest, there is a realization that their training will foster a deeper understanding of why service is important and who it impacts.

AmeriCorps NCCC is an undertaking unlike any other. Committing oneself to a year of service is an experience that few will have, especially at such an impactful age. These 18-24 year olds will have these memories and experiences to use and help them grow and learn for the rest of their lives. Pair that with the knowledge that a small group of individuals can truly change the world and these young adults will have the ability to continue being active against adversity and persevere during the hard times of life.

The first few days the members started arriving was the time for in-processing into the program. Receiving uniforms, room assignments, and essential policy information, members settled in for what we call CTI (Corps Training Institute). The first actual week of training was filled with essential information that all AmeriCorps NCCC members must know. Van drivers training, cooking training, Corporation for National and Community Service training, nutrition training, and CPR and First Aid with the American Red Cross, are just a few sessions that members have had this past week.

Adam Greene, a Corps Member in the program, who is part of the team that is called Cedar 6, says “CTI has been a lot of fun. It has been good to start training and to know how we are going to be prepared for what we are going to accomplish this ear. It has been a good week to get us more familiar with how life is going to be in AmeriCorps NCCC, and we are getting the skills we need to be able to handle any situation that will come at us.”

Members have found themselves thrust into a world that is very different than what they are used to. Such a diverse group of individuals making impacts on each other that will last for a life time is a startling concept that many come to realize is a large part of the program. Knowing how to work with individuals who think differently and whose motivations and work ethics impact every day life are some of the challenges that these incredible individuals will overcome over the course of their service year.

Training will continue for these young adults until March 16th. On that day, the members will be officially inducted into the program during a ceremony at the Vinton Shellsburg High School and will leave for their projects around the Midwest the following day.