Celebrating Our AmeriCorps Friends!

From March 12-18, we are celebrating AmeriCorps Week! We're taking this time to celebrate our AmeriCorps members and all they do to help their communities and our members.

AmeriCorps member Jennifer says, “I have been excited to serve girls as an AmeriCorps volunteer after retirement. Although my bachelor’s is in the field of psychology, I spent most of my years in accounting. Through my involvement with Girl Scouts, I have enjoyed face-to-face interaction, which was missing throughout most of my employment years. Leading troops has given me the opportunity to support our youth through understanding, empathy, and camaraderie. If I make a difference in the life of one girl through my ability to listen and communicate, I feel that my time is of value. Our youth are precious and deserve our ongoing support.”

AmeriCorps member Andrea. She says, “I am a mother of two and a stroke survivor who still has life left to live, so I joined AmeriCorps. As fate has it, I am now a Girl Scout where my passion to uplift and inspire young women can be fulfilled. I am blessed beyond measure to have landed in this position. I expect to be inspired by the girls and will support them the best I can!”

GSNI AmeriCorps member Andene who says, “I am a sophomore in the Human Development and Family Sciences major at Northern Illinois University. Before becoming an AmeriCorps member, I did not know what it was. I had prior experience with Girl Scouts Overseas when I was in middle school, so I decided to contact the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois to volunteer. After speaking to various Girl Scouts representatives, I was introduced to Joselyn Taylor, and she educated me on what AmeriCorps is and also the benefits of being a member! After our conversation, I was immediately interested!

I was initially attracted to AmeriCorps due to the fact that the main facets of Human Development and Family Sciences are to help children, families, and relationships thrive. I became an AmeriCorps member, because I wanted experience volunteering within my community while also making advancements in DeKalb that pertain to my undergraduate major. Working with children is a huge aspect of my major, and AmeriCorps has given me the opportunity to gain experience with children while also learning many things about service work and community outreach. Although I am fairly new to AmeriCorps, I am very excited to see where this amazing journey will take me!”

GSNI AmeriCorps member Nancy says, “I have a background in biology, environmental science, and medical assisting. My disability kept me from working in those fields full-time recently. Teaching and being with children have become my calling. I have been a homeschooled mom and an after-school science program facilitator and I serve in children's ministry. I really enjoy having fun and teaching children, particularly STEAM subjects. If people know more, they can fall in love with art or nature and change the world!

When I saw the call to serve with AmeriCorps at Girl Scouts, I was hesitant at first (because my own experience with Girl Scouts was not great), but then the more I thought about it, the more I was like, ‘YES!’ This is where I can use my gifts and connect with girls who are our future. If I could do this forever, I would. It is the best! I am learning interpersonal skills and recently had classes about trauma and de-escalation. These have an overflow into all areas of life. I have gained confidence in leadership as well. And with Girl Scouts, I am learning as much as I am teaching and receiving more than I give!”

GSNI AmeriCorps member Mary says:

“I am an AmeriCorps Program Facilitator. I am a mother of five, grandmother of 11, and great-grandmother of one; a daughter, a person who loves working with youth and assisting those with needs. I love caring for people, making people happy, and being a free spirit.

I have always liked to mentor young people—more so girls. COVID was a challenge for us all. During the pandemic, the church where we were doing events and youth outreach shut down. At that time, I was assisting people with getting jobs. On a trip to the library, I met my now AmeriCorps supervisor, Joselyn. This encounter brightened up and changed my world. In a discussion of wanting to help others get a job, I decided to try it myself! Just the concept of being accepted with a disability was a great fit for me. I love mentoring youth and caring for others.

Working through AmeriCorps as a Facilitator allows me to teach and watch the girls grow into great advocates and future young leaders. I enjoy sharing ideas through activities and learning new ideas from the girls. Having those special moments with the girls is simply breathtaking. Being able to work with great team members is an additive, as well. Being caring and considerate of each other’s programming is awesome!

I really didn't know what to expect when I joined. I looked forward to working with the young ladies. Being a stroke survivor, I can honestly say I have seen new growth in myself since I joined AmeriCorps. Being able to be a part of a group that cares for others is so much worth me getting out of bed and get to a Girl Scout meeting or activity.

I'm looking forward to my next chapter with AmeriCorps—so many opportunities to choose from (AmeriCorps Seniors & Alumni)."

GSNI AmeriCorps member Shante describes herself as optimistic, opportunistic, perceptive, venturesome, inquisitive, lingering, outgoing, open-minded, caring, and supportive.

She says, “What brought me to Girl Scouts was my daughter being in Girl Scouts. I wanted to be more engaged. It was also an opportunity to be apart from my daughter's Girl Scout experience and expand my skills and resume!"

When asked what benefits she has received as a GSNI AmeriCorps member, she notes it is a new experience, has brought her closer to her daughter, and that she’s expanded her knowledge and opportunities. She feels she has gained a sense of self, a career path, leadership skills, discipline, sisterhood, a community experience, and outreach opportunities. She learned how to use resources wisely while being courageous and strong!

We are so grateful for our AmeriCorps Volunteers! We are pleased to thank them for their service to AmeriCorps and GSNI.