WPCAMR Salutes One of Its Own During Americorps Week
Like it or not, occasionally there comes a time when “all good things must come to an end”. The meaning of such a phrase hits home to those of us at WPCAMR this week as we bid farewell to our AmeriCorps OSM-VISTA volunteer, Jeffrey Gerard, as he moves on to grad school. Jeff has been with us for a year and has done a phenomenal job in orchestrating the FACTS program. But Jeff, the person who always looks for ways to be helpful, has also become valuable to WPCAMR in many, many other ways. He does much and asks for little. Jeff is an extraordinary young man with a superb intellect, a giant heart, a great sense of humor, an intense drive to do good for his fellow man, and is an all around good guy.
Jeff made good use of his time in Greensburg by not only working tirelessly to advance the mission of WPCAMR but by being a wonderful friend and co-worker to all of us in the office. While his youthful synapses were busy firing away to solve WPCAMR’s periodic complex computer challenges, his “elderly” co-workers (Bruce and Andy) stood by wondering as to how a human being can solve problems so quickly. Needless to say, we continue to stand in awe of Jeff’s abilities.
Jeff, you have quietly done more for WPCAMR than you can imagine. As you move on with your life, you will undoubtedly continue to make a difference and leave your mark in all you touch. We will miss you dearly.
Thank you, Jeff, for everything.
AmeriCorps Week May 13-20
WHAT IS AMERICORPS?
AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects more than 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet our country’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. AmeriCorps members serve with more than 2,000 nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based and community organizations. Since 1994, more than 400,000 men and women have provided needed assistance to millions of Americans across the nation through their AmeriCorps service. There are several programs contained within AmeriCorps, each with a slightly different focus. One of those programs is the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program. AmeriCorp’s “Volunteers In Service To America” (VISTA) program provides volunteers to community organizations and public agencies to create and expand programs that build capacity and ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty.
- Learn more about AmeriCorps
OSM/VISTA PROGRAM
The Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team (ACCWT), in conjunction with AmeriCorps*VISTA and the US Dept. of Interior’s Office of Surface Mining (OSM) continues to place volunteers with interested watershed groups and non-profits in areas long ravaged by abandoned coal mining activities. OSM/VISTAs live and work in low income communities dealing with contaminated streams, depressed economies, and other issues related to abandoned mine lands and impoverished communities.
WPCAMR and other environmental organizations dedicated to abandoned coal mine reclamation throughout Appalachia, continue to get staffing assistance from the Watershed Team’s program. Jeff Gerard and Stefanie Chitester assist WPCAMR with its work in Greensburg. Another OSM/VISTA volunteer, Althea Kirsch works assists the Blacklegg’s Creek Watershed Association in the Johnstown, PA area.
- Learn more about how an ACCWT OSM/VISTA can help your watershed group.