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AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region Newsletter. In this Issue: The Journey Home, A Corps Member's account of returning to her hometown to lend a hand to hurricane recovery efforts; Alumni Spotlight on Lisa Nikole Raney, Class X, Southwest Region; Staff Bulletin Board; Gallery of Pictures; Team Project Map
Citation preview
GET TO
THE POINT T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E N C C C A T L A N T I C R E G I O N
T H U R S D A Y , A P R I L 4 , 2 0 1 3
V O L U M E X I X , I S S U E 5
The Journey Home A Corps Member Returns to Her Hometown to
Lend a Hand with Hurricane Recovery Efforts
Alumni Spotlight Lisa Nikole Swaney, Class X, Southwest Region
Gallery Getting Things Done with Wheel Barrows
A New Sort of Uniform
Around the Atlantic Region in 28 Days
MEMBER STATEMENT
I’m a member of the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps
Program. N-Triple-C members are 18 to 24 and spend 10 months getting things
done for America while developing their own leadership. We serve on teams
to help communities prepare for and respond to disasters, build homes, and
help the environment.
To learn more or apply, visit AmeriCorps.gov/NCCC or call 1.800.942.2677
CONTACT THE ATLANTIC REGION COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE
Sam McKenzie, Community Relations Specialist (CRS)
Phone: 202.528.3755 ● Email: [email protected]
Mona Hillstrand, Assistant Community Relations Specialist (ACRS)
Phone: 202.815.4259 ● Email: [email protected]
Ben Dillon, Community Relations Support Team Leader (CRSTL)
Phone: 443.995.7940 ● Email: [email protected]
Get to the Point is a weekly newsletter edited and designed by Ben Dillon, CRSTL
Facebook.com/NCCCAtlanticRegion
3 Feature Story
The Journey Home: A Corps
Member Returns to Her
Hometown to Lend a Hand to
Hurricane Recovery Efforts
5 Alumni Spotlight
Lisa Nikole Swaney, Class X
Southwest Region
6 Bulletin Board
Vehicle Safety Tips; National
Stress Awareness Month
7 Team Shout Outs
8 Gallery
Wheeling & Waning: Getting
Things Done with Wheel
Barrows; Suiting Up: A New Sort
of Uniform; Around the Region
in 28 Days
10 Team Project Map
Composite Team Dragon 1
deploys to N.J. for disaster
recovery
↑ Top-Left: Members of Raven 4 practice yoga on Rockaway
Beach, N.Y. for a team physical training session.
↑ Top-Right: Jeremy Flores of Phoenix 1 gives his regards to the
flames of a prescribed fire in Virginia.
→ Cover: NCCC members conducted a cleanup of Rockaway
Beach, N.Y. where a boardwalk stood prior to Hurricane Sandy.
Photo Credit: CNCS/Serve.gov
ISSUE IN THIS
3 APRIL 4, 2013 / GET TO THE POINT
FEATURE
By Meg Wheeler, Raven 1
I had made the trip probably hundreds of
times: the N.J. Turnpike to Staten Island,
over the Verrazano Bridge into Brooklyn, and
the straight ride back home to Rockaway.
This most recent time, however, was very different
for me. This time, I shared the ride with my fellow
Corps Members. I was not going home to visit for
the weekend or returning home from college for the
summer. I was returning to Rockaway as an Ameri-
Corps member with the plan and determination to
get things done.
I was very fortunate in that my parents and I lost
nothing during Hurricane Sandy. That second floor
walk-up had finally paid off. Some of my family
members and friends were not as lucky. When we
returned two days after the storm hit, people’s lives
were in five-foot piles lining the street. It was be-
yond overwhelming, seeing sand cover the pavement
and the vast, empty space on the beach after the
boardwalk had been carried away by the tide.
Story Continued on Page 4
↑ Top: The damages incurred to homes in
Wheeler’s hometown of Rockaway, N.Y. still
linger well into 2013. Wheeler’s team, Raven 1, is
one of several teams in the area for long-term
Hurricane Sandy recovery projects.
↑ Above: Raven 1 works with the non-profit
organization New York Cares to coordinate the
efforts of volunteer groups, pictured here
wearing Tyvek coveralls and respirators.
THE JOURNEY HOME
GET TO THE POINT / APRIL 4, 2013 4
FEATURE
Continued from Page 3
The only comfort was seeing neighbors helping each
other, even though they had their own needs, and the
swarm of volunteers that quickly took over to start recov-
ery. Rockaway would come back, but it would take time.
The big joke in my house was that I would be sent right
back home. When I found out during project reveal that
this was going to be the case, that I would be helping peo-
ple who truly needed it, I was overwhelmed with emotion.
When I told my sister, however, she laughed for nearly 10
minutes straight. We were able to surprise my parents,
telling them for weeks that my first project would be in
Vermont. Knowing that I would be as close to home as I
could without actually being there, and that I would be
helping with something that had direct consequences for
my home community, assured me I would enjoy this
round.
These first few weeks have been tough, to say the least.
Mucking and gutting is no joke! With the amount of gut-
ting and mold removal my team has done, our upper-body
strength will rival that of the firefighters on Phoenix 1. The
physical challenges of the work are to be expected, and we
will continue to face them each day, but the emotional
challenges are just as difficult. Although the stories of
homeowners are harrowing, they spur us to work harder
and to the best of our abilities. Every day, their stories give
us cause to step back and take a moment to understand
what they have gone through. My teammates—and I espe-
cially—always keep in mind that these homes could have
been our homes. That keeps us going.
Admittedly, driving around my hometown with my
team rather than my parents still feels odd. But the more I
get used to the realities of this project, the more I am com-
ing to appreciate my teammates. From our emotional pro-
ject reveal to the tough days on the worksite, my team-
mates and Team Leader have constantly been supportive
of me and each other. They know how important and close
to home this work is to me, and I could not be prouder or
more thankful to call them my team.
My teammates—and I
especially—always keep in
mind that these homes could
have been our homes. That
keeps us going.
“
”
← Wheeler, third from the left in the
back row, with her Raven 1 team
prior to the Atlantic Region Class XIX
Induction Ceremony on March 8.
5 APRIL 4, 2013 / GET TO THE POINT
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
How did you hear about NCCC?
I learned about it while attending Vir-
ginia Commonwealth University from
a former NCCC alumna out of Sacra-
mento, California.
Why did you join?
I thought it was really interesting how
other communities worked. I didn’t
know much about my community
where I grew up. It gave me a better
sense of my community in a way I had
not been aware of before my partici-
pation in NCCC. Plus, I like to get
things done. I had one semester left in
college, so I decided to finish it after. I
had a desire to travel, but I also want-
ed to participate in service-oriented
work. AmeriCorps was a good way to
marry those two goals.
What was your most interesting
project as a Corps Member?
We did taxes for low-income residenc-
es for “The Center of Economic Pro-
gress” in Chicago. The experience was
very hands-on. I knew immediately I
was having an impact on people’s
lives—that I was doing something
worthwhile.
What did you like about NCCC?
I was fascinated to travel in new parts
of the country. I was most inspired by
the sponsors who did their jobs pas-
sionately.
What advice would you give to
current NCCC members?
I would say talk out your problems
with your team. You are often in tight
living quarters and unstable environ-
ments. Try to resolve your issues with
others; it will lead to a better experi-
ence overall. The time goes by fast, so
enjoy the places you’re in while you’re
there, because you may never be there
again. Use the opportunity of living
with different people to learn about
their culture. It is an enriching experi-
ence to learn about and a valuable
asset in life. You learn different ways
to approach problems you would nev-
er know if you didn’t spend time with
those people.
Do you have any future Ameri-
Corps plans?
In my current position, I get to work
with NCCC as a sponsor. I also get to
facilitate training for AmeriCorps
NCCC firefighters.
How did NCCC impact life plans
or career interests?
After a short two-week round with the
Nature Conservancy, I had a pretty
good idea that I wanted to be apart of
that organization. NCCC gave me a
better understanding of the wide vari-
ety of service projects out there.
LISA NIKOLE SWANEY
CLASS X, SOUTHWEST REGION
↑ Swaney (right)
instructs Class XIX
Corps Member
Laura Mahoney
on how to roll fire
hose during
training in Kinston,
N.C. in March.
GET TO THE POINT / APRIL 4, 2013 6
The Moose Unit has charged
from behind to take a slight
lead in the ISP race!
Percent Complete
Moose: 12.78 %
Raven: 12.30 %
Buffalo: 12.18 %
“I slept and dreamt that
life was joy. I awoke and
saw that life was
service. I acted and
behold, service was joy.”
- Rabindranath Tagore
April 7–14 is
National Stress
Awareness Week
1. Sleep More
2. Breathe More
3. Laugh More
Benefits of Laughter
Helps diffuse conflict
Eases anxiety and fear
Increases memory
Lowers stress hormones
Relaxes your muscles
Adds joy to your life
Enhances teamwork
Exercises abs
Promotes better sleep
BULLETIN BOARD
Vehicle Safety Tip of the Week Keep the brake fluid reservoir at an optimum level
with the correct fluid type.
Your brakes may require servicing if: the brake warning light is flashing there is squealing, chirping or grinding noises there are pulsations in the brake pedal the steering wheel is shaky stopping distance has increased the car pulls to one side when you stop
Before & After with Buffalo 1 ← Buffalo 1, in working with
Habitat for Humanity of
Westchester in areas of
New York that were hard-hit
by Hurricane Sandy, has
been removing debris from
neighborhoods and piling it
for removal by waste
management. Here, Buffalo
1 member Garret Ford
indicates the large scale of
one of many debris piles
gathered by the team.
7 APRIL 4, 2013 / GET TO THE POINT
Phoenix 1
Moose 5
Thanks to all the permanent teams for the shout outs! We miss you
guys!
Scrubbing mold in tiny, stuffy, dank crawlspaces is tough in the going, but Elite Team Raven 1 is
getting it done!
Shout out to Jeremy on Fire: “We miss you!” And our sister team Buffalo 2: “Holla back, y’all!”
Congratulations to the composite team members. Please treat Travis
well. He will be missed!
A HUGE shout out to Rosslyn
Jordan, Buffalo One alumna and
now USTL. She’ll be amazing in
her new role, and B1 can’t wait to
see all the fantastic work she
accomplishes!
Buffalo 1
B3 welcomes a new addition to
our team: Kadesha! As we gain
one member for the year, we also
lose one for a while. Victor has
been selected to serve on
composite, so we will be without
him for four weeks as he does
Sandy recovery in New Jersey.
We already miss you, man! We
can’t wait to hear your stories!
Also, big shout-out to Wayne, our
roaming fire Buffalo!
Shout out to Gaby Gardose for being selected for the composite
team! We miss you! Have fun and do great work!
Moose 4
Spoiler Alert: Not Intended for Individuals who Believe in the
Easter Bunny!
This week Moose 5 turned their cabooses into cotton tails and helped out with the Camden
Children’s Garden Brunch with the Bunny! Blake transformed
into the Easter Bunny and hopped around to spread springtime
cheer. Due to the hare’s oversized ears he actually cannot hear nor
see, so he was aided by Laura Mahoney. Others were required to hold Laura back from stealing the adorable children in their Easter
outfits and bunny ears.
My team helped out with an animal shelter this Saturday! They
really had a lot of fun and definitely came back with some
seriously cute pictures of Moose 4 with dogs, puppies, cats, and
kittens. On the other hand, some of their tasks included cleaning and
sweeping – it’s like the tasks of Brownsville plan on following us
everywhere we go.
Shout out to all the other teams for making it halfway through Round 1. Way to go, guys! Also, shout out to our awesome USTL, Rosslyn, on her first week in the green shirt. You are doing great!
Buffalo 4
SHOUT OUTS
Raven 1
Raven 2
Raven 4
Buffalo 3
Buffalo 2 TL says “HOO-RA” to
M1 TL. Florence says “shake it
out, shake it out” to Moose 2.
Additionally, congratulations to
all those who made the disaster
composite team!
Buffalo 2
To Raven 2: We know you miss your dad.
Raven 5
GET TO THE POINT / APRIL 4, 2013 8
GALLERY
AROUND THE REGION IN 28 DAYS
↑ Max Limeberger of Raven 3 while working with Delaware State Parks
→ (From Top) Alicia Spack of Moose 2 maintenancing a chainsaw in Orefield, Pa.
→ Moose 5, a.k.a. Moose Caboose, finds a real caboose in Camden, N.J.
→ Kaitlyn Liafsha of Buffalo 3 at an ISP
→ Natalie Hillmann and Bridget Kimbell of Phoenix 1 during a prescribed burn in Va.
↓ Buffalo 2 after gutting a water-damaged house in Schoharie, N.Y.
9 APRIL 4, 2013 / GET TO THE POINT
GALLERY
Wheeling &Waning
Few tools are as universal or as
versatile as the wheel barrow.
Whether hauling dirt and mulch,
racing your teammates, or
taking a quick nap, the wheel
barrow helps AmeriCorps
members get things done.
SUITING UP Working in disaster-effected
areas has its share of
challenges, hazardous
materials being chief among
them. While mucking and
gutting damaged homes,
Corps Members are donning a
new sort of uniform: Tyvek
coveralls and respirators.
→ Kayla Lickey of Raven 1
(left) and Andy Phongphiou of
Moose 3 (right).
↑ Natalie Hanisch of Raven 4 working with the
St. Bernard Project in Rockaway, N.Y.
← (Top) Rebeckah Moran and Kris Hall of
Raven 3 working with Delaware State Parks
← (Far left) Eddy Lee of Buffalo 3 with Blue
Water Baltimore
← (Left) Kayla Hanson of Buffalo 2 in
Schoharie, N.Y.
For Round 1, Class XIX teams will complete 21 projects in
seven states and the District of Columbia. Four teams are
aiding in recovery from Hurricane Sandy in New York,
while four more teams are doing long-term disaster
recovery work elsewhere in the region.
Additionally, three teams are
completing projects focused
on environmental
stewardship, two teams
are doing urban and
rural development,
and one team is
doing infrastructure
improvement.
Where in the Atlantic Region Are They? Round 1, Week 4
BUFFALO 1
New Rochelle, N.Y.
Habitat for Humanity
Disaster Recovery
BUFFALO 2
Schoharie, N.Y.
Schoharie Area Long Term Recovery
Disaster Recovery
BUFFALO 3
Baltimore, Md.
Blue Water Baltimore
Environmental Stewardship
BUFFALO 4
Winterthur, De.
Winterthur Museum
Environmental Stewardship
MOOSE 1
Allima Institute
Baltimore, Md.
Urban & Rural Development
MOOSE 2
Orefield, Pa.
Valley Youth House
Disaster Recovery
D.C.
MOOSE 3
New York, N.Y.
World Care Centers
Disaster Recovery
MOOSE 4
Davis, W.Va.
Appalachian Coal Country Team
Environmental Stewardship
MOOSE 5
Camden, N.J.
Camden Garden Club
Urban & Rural Development
PHOENIX 1
Suffolk, Va.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Disaster Response/Env. Stewardship
RAVEN 1
New York, N.Y.
New York Cares
Disaster Recovery
RAVEN 2
Newburgh, N.Y.
Habitat for Humanity
Urban & Rural Development
RAVEN 3
Marshfield, Mass.
Mass. Audubon—South Shore
Environmental Stewardship
RAVEN 4
Brooklyn, N.Y.
St. Bernard Project
Disaster Recovery
RAVEN 5
Meadville, Pa.
Allegheny College Lake Effects
Infrastructure Improvement
MAINE
VERMONT
NEW YORK
NEW
HAMPSHIRE
MASSACHUSETTS
CONN. R.I.
PENNSYLVANIA
MARYLAND
VIRGINIA
WEST
VIRGINIA
NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE
COMPOSITE: DRAGON 1
Hackensack, N.J.
Volunteer Center of Bergen County
Disaster Recovery