AmeriCorps team stays busy during Holton visit

A group of young adults – complete strangers to Jackson County and Kansas – have volunteered and are working in the community for six weeks, serving older adults through Homestead Affordable Housing and making improvements to Banner Creek Reservoir.

The 11 team members, volunteers through AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), arrived in Jackson County on Halloween and will be calling Holton their home through Dec. 18.

Although they hail from every corner of the country, each volunteer shares a common commitment to community service and hard work.

Audrey Snyder of Huntsville, Ala., graduated from high school last May and decided to join AmeriCorps before enrolling in college.

“I wanted to find myself and, at the same time, help others,” Snyder said. “I love helping, and I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to pursue in college. Hopefully AmeriCorps will help me figure that out.”

Snyder and her team members have been involved with a variety of projects with Homestead Affordable Housing’s new Prairie View Senior Residences in Holton. The new 32-unit complex for seniors is located by the soccer fields in Holton.

The team has built wheelchair ramps, put together exercise equipment and cleared away brush from behind the homes. On Friday, they helped move in the first resident, Lillian Jepson Harris, 86, and are planning to help move in some more residents this week.

“We’re going to work on building garden beds soon,” Snyder said.

At Banner Creek Reservoir, the team members have painted bathhouses and the office. They are also working with John Kennedy, Banner Creek Reservoir director, to design a natural playground at the facility with recycled and natural materials.

“Everyone has been very generous and very sweet,” Snyder said. “We’ve had community members come up to us and ask what we’re doing, but, overall, everyone has been amazing.”

In addition to the work at the reservoir and Homestead Affordable Housing, the volunteers are gaining independent service hours by working with other non-profits some evenings and weekends in the community.

So far, members have worked with the Heart of Jackson Humane Society, Banner Creek Science Center and the Jackson County Kid’s Closet. The volunteers have also spent time searching for Joan Rebar, the woman missing from Mayetta. They are expected to help prepare and serve at this year’s Jackson County Christmas Bureau.

“They have plenty to keep them busy,” said Tom Bishop, president and CEO of Homestead Affordable Housing. “I think they are doing a great job. These are pretty amazing young adults.”

Bishop said that one of the goals of AmeriCorps is to strengthen leadership and volunteerism among the residents in the communities that team members serve.

“More and more local people are approaching them and offering to help alongside them,” Bishop said.

The team is staying in the apartments above Homestead Affordable Housing on the south side of the Holton Square.

Snyder said that team members are up and off to their work sites by 8 a.m. each morning and are usually split into smaller teams to work on various projects. The volunteers take an hour-long lunch, which they pack themselves, and then continue working until 4 p.m. or 4:30 p.m.

Team members partner up and take turns making dinner for the group each evening. The group spends most of their nights recharging for the next day.

“We’re all pretty big readers. We got library cards here,” Snyder said. “We really just relax in the evenings. Some people go on walks or runs.”

The team started their 10-month stint with the federally funded AmeriCorps program on Oct. 7 with training in Denver, Colo. After the group members finish their six-week “spike” or project in Holton, they’ll head back to Colorado for Christmas break and additional training before they start a 12-week “spike” at a new location.

“We switch teams each spike,” she said.

AmeriCorps NCCC members are young men and women, ages 18 to 24, who serve 10 months to a year on projects throughout the country. Some members have just completed high school, while others have completed college or are taking a year off from college.

Team members receive an education award of $5,775 per person that will enable them to continue their education or reduce any educational debt. They also receive a $4,000 living allowance. 

Team leader Julian Jordan said that AmeriCorps focuses on youth development, infrastructure, sustainability efforts and other community needs. They are also available to respond to a national disaster.

“We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside everyone in the community,” Jordan said.

Snyder said she encourages anyone considering a stint with AmeriCorps to pursue it.

“Definitely do it because you won’t regret it. Not only are you helping others and helping them grow, you are helping yourself grow,” she said. “It’s like a year you can take off and focus on you and building relationships with other people and communities. It’s an amazing opportunity, and I’m really fortunate to be a part of it and be with these people.”

Jordan agrees.

“It really challenges you,” Jordan said. “We have great diversity on our team and that always expands your mind and opens you up to new ideas.”

Bishop has applied to have another AmeriCorps team serve in Jackson County from January to April, and he said he will be notified on Wednesday if his request has been granted. 

Local community members who may need help with a service project can contact Bishop at Homestead Affordable Housing to request assistance from AmeriCorps members while they are working in the county.

Team members include Julian Jordan of Olympia, Wash.; Barrie Schmitt of Birmingham, Ala.; Linna Bounxayavong of Everett, Wash.; Audrey Snyder of Huntsville, Ala.; Steve Phillips of Rochester, N.Y.; Alec Bandemier of Wheaton, Ill.; Amanda Iscoa of Orlando, Fla.; Isaac Dahl of Madison, Wisc.; Katie Olson of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Jesse Mitts of Hollis Center, Maine; and Erica Blue of Norwalk, Conn.