NewsletterDRAFTpptx.pdf Jun. 2014 | Page 3

Service Projects The Service Moves: Page 3 “During service, actions speak louder than words!” Teen Action & Support Center coordinated and Our House, Inc. held a reading challenge for facilitated a wide range of service projects this year. They have worked with Bentonville Public Library, YMCA Childwatch, prepared snackpacks at the Samaritan Community Center, helped with Autumn's ReRide, International Festival Assistance, ADA Tour de Cure, Yard Beautifications for local community members, Havenride, PAL Haunted House, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, United Way Mailers, and Havenwood Childcare. youth. Mindy Huberty, the Youth Program AmeriCorps Member challenged the youth to read 150 books (a goal they created!). Every time a youth read a book and wrote a brief review, the book was listed on the Reading Challenge chart. The youth surpassed their goal of 150 books and received a party to celebrate! Kicks for Kids! We received a grant from the Payless Foundation which provided $200 worth of gift cards for the youth to get new shoes. We then partnered with the community and hosted a drive called New Kicks for Kids and received enough donations and gift cards to get every child (6 weeks- 17 years old) a new pair of shoes from Payless. Over spring break, we took the 6-17 year olds so they could pick out their shoes. Jessica Gallegos(Left) helps out students with TASC program. Hispanic Communities Service Initiative human trafficking focus group- On Thursday, January 23rd, HCSI’s two AmeriCorps members attended a focus group on human trafficking held at the University of Arkansas’ MidSouth location in Jonesboro. The group was facilitated by personnel from the Department of Human Services and the Arkansas Attorney General’s office, who lead discussions to determine what area service providers knew about human trafficking as well as inform them on how to deal with potential cases involving trafficking victims. On Thursday evening, February 20, AmeriCorps members and HCSI staff participated in a community meeting conducted by the North Jonesboro Neighborhood Initiative for Hispanic residents of North Jonesboro. The meeting took place at the Hispanic Center, and several people came to give their opinions and discuss improvements they would like to see in their community. Overall, residents were pleased with developments in their area, but stated they would like to see more people become involved in the community as well as improvements. Marc Smith and Guadalupe Eguia Guadalupe Eguia (Left) and Marc Smith (Right) listening in on CIA Reflection Day 2014 discussion. "Our After School Program is at full capacity and now with having spent so much time with our students there is a great bond and friendship that has been established. The opportunities to make a difference as AmeriCorps members are endless.“ - Guadalupe Eguia