Washington State Trip Highlights AmeriCorps Contributions and Honors Outstanding Service

AmeriCorps CEO and Representative Derek Kilmer View Community Engagement in Washington's 6th District

TACOMA/SEATTLE, Wash.- AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith and Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) toured AmeriCorps sites in Washington's 6th Congressional District, highlighting AmeriCorps' work supporting affordable housing, alleviating hunger, and tackling climate change. During their visits with these organizations, AmeriCorps honored seven AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers with the President's Volunteer Service Award. Led by AmeriCorps, in partnership with Points of Light, the President's Volunteer Service Award celebrates Americans who dedicate their time and skills to serving their communities through volunteering.

"From Tacoma to Spokane, AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers are working alongside their neighbors to build stronger communities and a brighter future for all Washingtonians," said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps." From housing and hunger to climate change and polarization, Americans of all ages and backgrounds are uniting in service to tackle the most pressing challenges facing Washington and the nation."

"National service matters - and for decades, AmeriCorps members and volunteers have made a real difference for folks across the South Sound," said Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06). "I'm grateful that AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith could visit our neck of the woods to see the important work that folks in our region are doing to foster resilience, build stronger communities, and encourage a spirit of unity and cooperation."

Smith and Kilmer visited Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. This visit showcased the commitment to address housing insecurity in the region and the dedication of AmeriCorps members. AmeriCorps partnership with Habitat for Humanity has significantly increased home construction and rehabilitation efforts, leading to improved living conditions for families and reduced dependency on federal housing assistance. A 2021 study showed that Habitat for Humanity sites with AmeriCorps members build on average five more homes per year and rehab eight more homes per year than sites without members.

At Habitat for Humanity, the CEO and Congressman awarded Nick Jackson with the Lifetime President's Volunteer Service Award. Jackson served three terms with Habitat for Humanity through AmeriCorps and is now a construction lead for Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity.

The delegation then toured a Northwest Youth Corpssite. AmeriCorps members serve at the Lower Wapato Creek Habitatto help reduce the environmental impact of Tacoma's port, reduce runoff, and other environmental impacts from the site. Their work includes thinning volunteer alders, clearing rings around newly installed plants, and tamping down grass and weeds encroaching on newly installed plants.

Since 1984, the Northwest Youth Corps has engaged more than 29,000 youth and young adult participants who have conducted more than 4 million hours of conservation service with support of the public, private, and non-profit partners. Northwest Youth Corps is part of the American Climate Corps, an initiative modeled after Franklin D. Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps that will put a diverse generation of young Americans to work fighting the impacts of climate change today while gaining the skills they need to join the growing clean energy and climate-resilience workforce of tomorrow.

Smith and Kilmer then rolled up their sleeves and got to work with AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serving with Lutheran Services at the Northwest Tacoma Food Bank. They packed pasta to distribute to guests and then sat down for a roundtable discussion with volunteers to learn more about their experience. During this visit Smith and Kilmer presented six volunteers with the President's Volunteer Service Award.

The day concluded with an engagement at the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Countiesto learn more about the Team Up Projectwhich aims to bridge divides and foster cooperation across differences to create a brighter future for communities and nation. This initiative is a collaboration between Habitat for Humanity International, Y-USA, Catholic Charities USAand Interfaith America.

As a surprise to the Congressman, CEO Smith presented Representative Kilmer with the Lifetime President's Volunteer Service Award during their visit at the YMCA.

"For nearly 20 years, Representative Kilmer has been devoted to meeting the needs of Washington's families. Whether serving in the State House or the halls of Congress, Representative Kilmer has never wavered in his commitment to ensure service members, veterans, military retirees, and the civilian workforce get the resources and support they deserve," said Smith. "AmeriCorps is fortunate to have such a devoted champion in Congress who has advocated for national service as an essential solution to a wide range of significant challenges facing our communities and country, from polarization and climate change to youth development, homelessness and hunger."

"I'm proud to be a partner to the tremendous individuals and organizations in our region who are working day-in-and-day-out to serve those in need, foster unity and cooperation, and build stronger communities," said Representative Kilmer. "I am incredibly honored to receive the Lifetime President's Volunteer Service Award and am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside AmeriCorps members and volunteers to make a real difference for folks in my neck of the woods."

All President's Volunteer Service Award Recipients in Washington's 6th Congressional District:

• Nick Jackson served three terms with Habitat for Humanity through AmeriCorps and is now a construction lead for Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. Nick received the Lifetime President's Volunteer Service Award.
  
• Kirby Engel has been an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer with RSVP for seven years. He volunteers at the Lakewood Food Bank three days per week with preparation and distribution, being the first client contact. Kirby received the Silver President's Volunteer Service Award.
  
• Jesme Fernando is an AmeriCorps Senior Volunteer with the RSVP program. She serves at the Lakewood Food Bank as a grocery distribution helper. Jesme received the Silver President's Volunteer Service Award.
  
• Cheryl Fox serves at the Edgewood Food Bank where over 200 people visit each of the two days per week that they are open. She works with preparing the food and in distribution. Cheryl has been volunteering with the food bank since 2016 and has been and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer with RSVP for six years. Cheryl received the Bronze President's Volunteer Service Award.
  
• Barbara Hadley is an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer who serves at the Northwest Tacoma Nourish Food Bank, helping with distribution. Just this year she has donated 122 hours of her time to the food bank. For her service, Barbara received a Bronze President's Volunteer Service Award.
  
• Bruce Weathers is an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer who serves with the RSVP program. He volunteers at the Northwest Tacoma Nourish Food Bank and helps with food preparation. For his service Bruce received a Bronze President's Volunteer Service Award.
  
• Carola Wittmann is an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer who serves with the RSVP program. She volunteers at the Northwest Tacoma Nourish Food Bank and helps with distribution. For her service, Carola received a Bronze President's Volunteer Service Award.
  
• Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) received the Lifetime President's Volunteer Service Award. Throughout his tenure both in the state legislature and the United States Congress, Kilmer served for nearly two decades focused on supporting service members, veterans, military retirees, and the civilian workforce.