350 AmeriCorps members gather in GR to improve community through service weekend

Slideshow photos contributed by Steven Depolo

This weekend, more than 350 of Michigan’s AmeriCorps members from across the state are in Grand Rapids to focus on serving city parks and the Wealthy Heights neighborhood. As part of the 2011 Russ Mawby Signature Service Project, AmeriCorps members will assist with various community projects in the city.

This year’s project has been designated as Michigan’s 2011 AmeriCorps Week closing event. AmeriCorps Week provides an opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program partners, and friends to shine a spotlight on the service being done by members in communities across the country and to motivate more Americans to join AmeriCorps or volunteer in their communities.  



“We are honored to host the Signature Service Project and excited to have the opportunity to showcase the rich assets of our strong and vibrant community,” said Mary Buikema, executive director of the Habitat for Humanity of Kent County. “Habitat thrives through community partnerships. The presence of AmeriCorps members through this project will expand our partnerships with agencies, volunteers, and neighbors to make a positive impact on the city of Grand Rapids.”



The 2011 Signature Service Project is a partnership between the Michigan Community Service Commission, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids and Elemental Media. The Project is an annual event that serves a different community each year. Participants are part of Michigan’s AmeriCorps, a program of the Michigan Community Service Commission. The Michigan Community Service Commission is the state’s lead agency on service and volunteerism. 


Also on hand to support the event will be the project’s namesake, Dr. Russell G. Mawby, and Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell.

“When you see AmeriCorps members in action during the annual Signature Service Project and serving communities throughout Michigan, it’s a powerful demonstration of how we can use service as a strategy to address our state’s toughest challenges,” said Paula Kaiser Van Dam, executive director of the Michigan Community Service Commission. “At a time when organizations are struggling to meet increased needs, AmeriCorps helps fill the gap and tackle critical community issues.”

Throughout the project, a book drive will be conducted in order to gather donations of new or gently used books for the Schools of Hope AmeriCorps program at the Heart of West Michigan United Way. Donations will be distributed to public schools throughout Grand Rapids. Drop-off sites for the book drive include Sparrows Coffee Tea & Newsstand (1035 Wealthy SE), Wilcox Park (100 Youell SE), Richmond Park (1101 Richmond NW), MLK Park (900 Fuller SE), and Hillcrest Park (1415 Lyon NE).

Michigan’s AmeriCorps is often described as the domestic Peace Corps. Members take on the challenges facing communities by serving within nonprofit organizations, schools, and other agencies throughout the state.

AmeriCorps members are serving directly in Grand Rapids with the following programs/locations:

• Camp Fire USA at various Grand Rapids Public Schools
• Community Health Corps of Grand Rapids at Cherry Street Health Services
• Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids
• Inner City AmeriCorps Neighborhood Project at Grand Rapids Weed and Seed
• Mentor Michigan College Coaching Corps at Bethany Christian Services, Christian Camps for Inner City Youth, and Steepletown Neighborhood Services
• Michigan Habitat’s AmeriCorps at Habitat for Humanity of Kent County
• Michigan Service Scholars at Aquinas College, Davenport University, and Grand Rapids Community College
• Michigan Statewide Local Initiatives Support Corporation at Dwelling Place and LINC
• Together We Prepare AmeriCorps at American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids