DEEP Service Magazine Spring/Summer 2014 | Page 28

DEEPCONNECTIONS

“Beforehand [he]
was not so willing
to take the time
out to help others.
Now that [he] has
seen the faces [of
the recipients of his
service work], he is
a lot more grateful
for doing this
program”.
- Morgan Shrankel about
Anthony Wallace

Green Tech TeenCorps: A Growing Experience
By Morgan Shrankel, Siena AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow

This past year, I have had the pleasure of coordinating the
TeenCorps Program at Green Tech High Charter School.
Four high school seniors participated in this very intensive
AmeriCorps program. The ACE office at Siena College
provides the administrative support for the success of this
program, although the majority of the work is done by the
students. Upon completing a 300 hour community service
commitment, each student will receive a Segal AmeriCorps
Education Award to assist with future college expenses.
TeenCorps students at Green Tech serve as mentors to their
peers. From leading students at service projects, to creating
projects that benefit Green Tech as a whole, the TeenCorps
students are always busy. This past year, the students have
served at Halloween Extravaganza, A Taste of Albany, Boys
& Girls Clubs of Albany, Interfaith Partnership for the
Homeless Drop-in Center, Equinox’s Annual Thanksgiving
Dinner, as well as many other events and opportunities. In
addition to serving 8-10 hours a week in the community,
participants also attend weekly training and enrichment
meetings. Training topics range from professionalism,
resume writing, budgeting, and reflection. Some
incorporate activities while others are discussion focused.
DEEP Service Magazine | Page 28

It has been a real pleasure to coordinate and run these
meetings. I have had the opportunity to witness these
students grow from boys to young men. There have been
many highlights throughout the year. I was very proud of
my students as they represented Green Tech at the Siena
College Community Forum 2.0, a community wide event
where participants discuss challenges youth face today.
Although they did not quite understand the purpose of the
event going in, they were very eager to bring information
that they learned back to share with their peers. It is little
moments like these that have made this program unlike
anything else I have ever been a part of.
For all of them, this opportunity has just been the
beginning. Na-Shawn Joseph’s plan after graduation “is to
share [his] information to the community and start more of
a community clean up”. Anthony Wallace admits that
“beforehand [he] was not so willing to take the time out to
help others. Now that [he] has seen the faces [of the
recipients of his service work], he is a lot more grateful for
doing this program”. All four students will be attending a
four-year college or university this fall.