AmeriCorps Invite Alumni to Attend Anniversary Celebration

Posted Date: 06/02/2020

September 8, 2014 – Amarillo ISD AmeriCorps Program will host a local swearing in ceremony to welcome a new class of AmeriCorps members pledging to “get things done for America” as part of simultaneous statewide and nationwide ceremonies to mark AmeriCorps’ 20th Anniversary. The local event will take place Friday, September 12 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at the High Plains Food Bank Community Meeting Room.

“We are proud to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of AISD’s AmeriCorps members in conjunction with the AmeriCorps 20th anniversary. I am thrilled to welcome this new class as they embark on a year of service for greater impact and growth for our community,” said Jill Humphrey, AISD AmeriCorps Director.

Prior to the swearing in ceremony, AmeriCorps students and alumni, as well as community members, are invited to participate in a service project to harvest food grown in the community garden at High Plains Food Bank. Upon completion of the ceremony, the service project will resume.

The AISD AmeriCorps Program began in 1999 to address the growing academic needs of at-risk elementary students. The program continues to serve students in 15 schools throughout the district by primarily providing literacy tutoring. Currently AISD AmeriCorps recruits 45 high school seniors and 10 college members. High school students serve 675 hours and college members serve 900 hours over the course of the school year. Each member earns a monthly living allowance and a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award at the completion of the term which can be used for college expenses.

The Amarillo swearing in ceremony will take place in tandem with a statewide event based in Austin, Texas and hosted by OneStar Foundation featuring prominent spokespeople including Mark Updegrove (LBJ Presidential Library Director), Randi Shade (Founding Executive Director, Texas Commission on Volunteering & Community Service/former Austin City Council Member), Rosie Mauk (Former Director of AmeriCorps) and video messages from champions such as Dan Rather, Neil Bush and Governor Rick Perry.

Both events will be held simultaneously alongside a nationwide AmeriCorps event led by President Obama, who will give remarks to AmeriCorps members at the White House, which will be live streamed by the Corporation for National and Community Service in Washington, D.C. to celebrate 20 years of inspiring Americans to be involved in what is the country’s best example of civic engagement, collaboration and problem solving. Additional pledge ceremonies will take place simultaneously from coast to coast, launching a new service year for 75,000 AmeriCorps members.