Grand Rapids, MI – Since AmeriCorps’ inception at Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc. in October 2007, 44 individuals have enrolled in the volunteer program. Alongside the employees and participants of Goodwill, the AmeriCorps team works diligently in assisting with their mission of changing lives and communities, bringing volunteer work to a new level.

 

In addition to their daily responsibilities with Goodwill, the AmeriCorps members have volunteered in numerous community based service projects. The projects have included a wide variety of tasks such as recycling computers for Earth Day, prepping food for Feeding America, cleaning up Plaster Creek, community resource fairs, landscaping and painting at a Habitat for Humanity site, serving Thanksgiving dinner to the veterans of Grand Rapids, and decorating local businesses of downtown Grand Rapids for the holiday season. Currently they are working together to provide food baskets for an assigned family for the holidays which is sponsored by ACCESS of West Michigan.

 

Overall the program is a great way for individuals to get involved and reach out to the community. “Our AmeriCorps members allow us to do what we do even better! The members bring fresh ideas, excellent skills, and a desire to make a change,” explains Program Manager Darin Crosby. The work that each member puts forth into the community is a great example of how AmeriCorps works in partnership with Goodwill in providing hope and opportunity to those in need.

 

 

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