AmeriCorps volunteers clean up the streets of Charleston on West Virginia’ s Day to Serve in honor of AmeriCorps’ 20th anniversary.
AmeriCorps volunteers help with the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area Stuart Cabin project with HistoriCorps and the Monongahela National Forest.
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Serving West Virginia
In 2016, West Virginia ranked third in the nation for producing AmeriCorps members. Based on initial data from 2015, of the members serving annually in the state, about 90 percent go on to pursue a degree or find career opportunities as a direct result of their service. This pool of candidates is a significant, untapped resource for West Virginia employers looking for qualified applicants with real-world experience and proven results.
While some of those serving the Mountain State are natives, others come to West Virginia by choice— and they’ re ready to stay. Based in Elkins, WV, the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area( AFHA) is a regional, grassroots effort to integrate central Appalachian forest history, culture, natural history and forestry management into a heritage tourism initiative to promote rural community development. AFHA recruits about 40 AmeriCorps members each year, and most move to West Virginia from out of state.
AmeriCorps not only makes AFHA successful, but it is also a magnet for drawing young talent to the state. Volunteers have relocated from as far away as Massachusetts, Oregon and Alaska to serve in Elkins.
“ In our program, we are looking for college graduates with skills in conservation, cultural heritage and community development,” says Phyllis Baxter, executive director of AFHA.“ We know it’ s hard for people to find jobs and stay here. We see this as a way to buck this trend. We provide an opportunity for young people in the state. They bring talent and enthusiasm, and some even find a way to stay.”
According to AFHA AmeriCorps Alumnus Dustin Smith, service is not only a pathway to staying in West Virginia but also to building a professional resume.
“ Before my time with AFHA, I would not have been qualified for the job I hold now,” says Smith.“ Because I made an investment in my future by enrolling in AmeriCorps, I was able to develop the professional skills that allowed me to smoothly transition from AmeriCorps member to full-time staff member with Woodlands Development Group. It’ s also allowed me to discover and stay in an area I love. Elkins offers so many cultural, recreational and social opportunities, and I never would have discovered it had it not been for AFHA.”
Lessons in Leadership
West Virginia’ s AmeriCorps programs provide an outstanding starting point for business leadership development. The skills volunteers gain— paired with their commitment, dedication and work ethic— make them prime candidates for private sector jobs. It should come as no surprise then that AmeriCorps alumni are already contributing to the future in some areas of West Virginia.
Amanda Gribble from the Preserve West Virginia Ameri- Corps program is serving her second year in Morgantown. She is an entrepreneur with a small, local, organic foods business who participated in the launch of the new online news source, Zackquill. com. Gribble came back to West Virginia, in part, because she sees the chance to create a positive future here.
“ My decision to stay in West Virginia is based on the belief that the Mountain State’ s potential to produce a thriving local economy will only happen if we invest our time and energy in healing what’ s been broken for too long,” she says. •
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE