During the unprecedented Covid Pandemic of 2020 the New Jersey Bonner AmeriCorps team members had to develop strategies to continue to deliver their services in a restricted face to face or virtual setting, while maintaining the standards outlined in the NJ Bonner AmeriCorps grant. From the stories shared by AmeriCorps members, it is clear that the past few months have been met with success.
During the fall 2020 semester, Kari Carmody served as an AmeriCorps member at PEI Kids. Kari emphasized the many changes Trenton youth had to undergo during this time, such as being quarantined and participating in online learning. She states that while the transition has been easy for some, it has proven to be difficult for many others. At her community partner site, she had to adapt in order to serve Trenton Youth by continuing to facilitate three (3) programs: Station House Adjustment Program (SHAP), Managing Aggression and Violence (MAV), and Comprehensive Juvenile Offenders Outreach Services (CJOOS). These programs aim to provide a safe environment for students to express what is going on in their life, their frustrations and their hopes for the future. Kari stated that discussions engaged students about the world around them, current events, emotional development, and much more. She feels that having the opportunity to have discussions has a positive impact because it allows them to talk about important issues going on in their life.
Another AmeriCorps member, Evans Saso had the opportunity to volunteer remotely with Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (LALDEF). While serving, Evans was able to tutor students in SAT Math, Algebra, Calculus, and AP Calculus. He also helped create and facilitated a personal finance workshop to nearly 40 people. Evans stated that although he feels that the personal connection was lost due to the virtual environment he was forced to serve in, he does feel that he had a positive impact on the students he worked with.
Finally, Freddie Hayeck, an AmeriCorps member serving at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) Campus Garden states that the “pandemic has hit our country hard and exposed the challenges that many Americans face, especially with food insecurity” and “the economic downturn from the has placed many out of work with rising costs of living.” He goes on to say that “the need for affordable, healthy food is especially important, and that he is proud to have served at the TCNJ Garden this semester.” During the fall term, he and other students were able to maintain the garden and harvest over 55 lbs. of fresh produce which was then donated to local food banks. He reflects that while he did not interact with the recipients of the food harvested, he feels that the work tending to the garden made a great impact on others.
Even though the Covid Pandemic has forced many AmeriCorps members to migrate to a virtual environment, with determination, ingenuity, and passion these students and many others have made certain that the services and support made possible by the NJ Bonner AmeriCorps grant continues with success.
