AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, team-based residential program for

men and women ages 18-24. NCCC members are assigned to one of

five campuses and organized into teams of 10-12 members.

Campuses are located in Perry Point, MD; Vinton, IA; Denver, CO;

Vicksburg, MS; and Sacramento, CA. NCCC teams serve

approximately 4-6 projects throughout their ten months of service.

NCCC serves every state, responding to pressing local needs that are

identified by organizations in the community. Projects are focused

on the following five categories – Natural and Other Disasters,

Infrastructure Improvement, Environmental Stewardship and

Conservation, Energy Conservation, and Urban and Rural

Development. 100 percent of members are certified in CPR, first

aid, and disaster response; approximately 9% are firefighter trained

by the National Park and U.S. Forest Services. NCCC teams also

support local disaster relief organizations to help communities

prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural or man-made

disasters. Since September 2005, NCCC members from all

campuses have served more than 9.6 million hours on 5,035

projects.

Volume 3, Issue 3

All About Us

June 2012 A M E R I C O R P S N C C C

Escape the Ordinary

Special points of interest:

Find out what Earth 5, from the Southwest Region, has been up to

The benefits of serving with AmeriCorps NCCC

A look at where our teams are currently serving

An Inside Look at the North Central Region campus.

Getting Things Done: Catching

up with Earth Five

2

Benefits of Service 4

NCCC Unit Names 4

Where Are We Now? 5

An Inside Look: North Central

Region

6

The Application Process 7

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Oak 7, an AmeriCorps NCCC North Central Region team, taking service to new heights in Custer State Park.

PAGE 2 ESC APE THE O R D IN AR Y

Getting Things Done: Catching up with Earth Five. By: Kevin Jones

how much we’ve all been able to get out

of this project already and how much

there is to learn about gardening

techniques.

AI: The most surprising moment has

been realizing how many people in the

Little Rock area are active in community

gardening. I think I see or hear of at least

one new garden every single week.

There is a lot of enthusiasm here for

locally grown, natural food.

AA: Learning all the things it takes to

begin an organic garden. I had no idea it

would take so much planning, organizing,

materials and manpower.

What was the most trying moment?

RL: I think each afternoon that we work

when it’s incredibly hot in the Arkansas

humidity is a really trying moment. It

really forces you to find ways to fight

through it and it helps that the work we

are doing is really meaningful and

enjoyable. Many of us have never worked

outside in this extreme of heat and

humidity, so it’s certainly something that

challenges us.

AI: The most trying moments have been

the times when we have worked thru the

incredible Arkansas heat. We have to

constantly remind ourselves to stay

hydrated and take adequate breaks, but

it is manageable.

AA: Having to push through the Arkansas

heat and humidity!

Looking back on your ten months of

service, what has been your favorite

project thus far? And why?

RL: I don’t know if I could choose just one

project; I would definitely say that it’s a tie

between the Delta Garden Study project

that we’re working at right now and

working with the Crown King Fire District

in Crown King, Arizona, where we worked

on a fuels reduction crew in a tiny mountain

town. I love this project because we’re in a

city so there’s so much to do and it’s been a

really inspiring project where I’ve learned

so many useful skills that I know I will use

in the future. Crown King was the most

unique experience I’ve ever had and it was

great to get the opportunity to live in a tiny

mountain town of 100 people, two hours

from a paved road. The service we were

doing for the fire department was

absolutely essential for the safety of the

town and townspeople. The fire

department invested so much into

educating the team on all things firefighter

related and it was another project where I

gained such a wealth of knowledge. I know

that I never would have had the

opportunities to learn those types of skills if

it wasn’t for being in NCCC.

AI: My favorite project over the past ten

months was during the shuffle 3rd round

when I had a split project in Texas. The first

part was in San Antonio, Texas, working

with a self-described “living land museum”

called the Land Heritage Institute. Our

team lived in a bunkhouse on site and was

tasked with building both hiking and

mountain biking trails all over the 1200

acre property. We also assisted in catching

feral hogs that are an invasive species. The

second part was in Austin, Texas, working

with a non-profit that specializes in green

building a sustainable design called the

What were your team’s thoughts as

you arrived at your spike location for

your 4th round project?

Rebeccah Lanni: Our team was really

looking forward to the project because it

involves working outside in gardens. We

were also really excited to be living in a

city during the summer and were eager

to explore Little Rock. Our housing is

wonderful and spacious, too, as we are

sharing three apartments between the

ten of us. So overall, our team was really

excited to arrive in Little Rock this round

and it’s been amazing!

Arun Inbavazhvu: We were excited to

find out what our sponsors would be like

and our housing, and we were not

disappointed. Emily English was very

welcoming and understanding and the

housing is amazing, some of the best in

AmeriCorps NCCC.

Ariana Arancibia: I was super excited

for the project, although I was not too

sure what to expect. The hospital is

welcoming and the accommodations are

amazing, three apartments!

What has been the most surprising

moment of your project thus far?

RL: One thing that I was really surprised

about was how much my team and I have

learned about gardening and how we’ve

all seemed to really find a passion in

what we’re doing now. Most of us had no

previous experience with gardening, but

all of us have found that we really enjoy

learning the skills involved in

maintaining a garden and are looking

forward to starting our own garden

someday. I guess I was surprised about Continued on Page 3

This round, Earth 5 is working in Little Rock, Arkansas with the Arkansas

Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Specifically, they are working with

the Delta Garden Study, which is a study that is focused on preventing

childhood obesity, decreasing social risk behaviors in youth, and

providing fresh organic produce to students through building and

maintaining middle school gardens throughout the state of Arkansas. The

team has spent this round getting an intensive training on gardening

techniques and has helped many community gardens in the Little Rock

area with weeding, planting, mulching, harvesting, and building. Also,

the team just began building a new garden site at Cloverdale Magnet

Middle School, which will have thirty-two sixty foot beds, a greenhouse, a

chicken coop, vermiculture bins, a three-bin compost, and a goat pen. I

spoke with Team Leader Rebeccah Lanni and Corps Members Arun

Inbavazhvu and Ariana Arancibia about their experience and lots more.

VO L UME 3, ISSUE 3 PAGE 3

AI: I think our team has really learned

how to focus to get tasks done on the

work site in the most efficient way, no

matter the project. We have had our ups

and downs together but we have always

delivered consistent job performance.

Why did you choose to join

AmeriCorps NCCC?

RL: I joined AmeriCorps NCCC because

I wanted to challenge myself. I knew it

wasn’t going to be an easy eleven

months, but I wanted to push myself

completely. I really wanted to continue

serving others – my team as well as the

communities that we’re working in – and

I wanted to travel and learn great skills

while doing it. It was the perfect

opportunity to grow, learn, serve, and

travel.

AI: Four years ago, during the 2008

campaign season, I worked for a

nonprofit called ServeNext, which is a

nonpartisan political advocacy group

that specializes in generating grassroots

support for all types of AmeriCorps

programs, plus for the Peace Corps and

Teach for America. This was my first

exposure to all of the different kinds of

AmeriCorps programs that exist and I

remember AmeriCorps NCCC sticking

out to me because of the chance to travel

all over the country. After I graduated

college, I was looking for a unique

opportunity and AmeriCorps NCCC fit

perfectly.

AA: After graduating from college in

2010, I looked for a job for an entire year

and had no luck. I found out about

AmeriCorps NCCC through internet

research and decided to apply, what did

I have to lose? I didn’t hear about my

acceptance until a week before I had to

be in Denver, so I hopped on the

opportunity and haven’t looked back

since. I guess to answer the question; I

didn’t really have a reason for joining.

But I have learned so much about myself

since and have discovered a strong love

for non-profit work and serving my

country. I have found my career path

through this program and probably

wouldn’t have if I hadn’t joined.

Would you promote this opportunity to

other young people? Why?

RL: I would absolutely encourage others

to join NCCC. No matter where you are

in your life, you can and will learn so

much from this program, about yourself,

about others, about service, and about

life. It offers you the opportunity to see

different parts of the country as well as learn

a variety of skills that you can use in the

future. I also met people in this program that

have been such an inspiration to me and I

will carry those inspirations with me for the

rest of my life.

AI: I would absolutely promote NCCC to

other young people, and I do. I think it’s a

program that does not get enough

recognition or exposure considering the

amount of time its been around and amount

of work it has completed.

AA: Of course! It’s a great opportunity to

learn a lot about yourself and about

communities that you may never have a

chance to explore. It will allow you to open

your eyes to new experiences and great

lasting relationships with people from all

over the country.

And finally, what is one piece of advice

you would give to prospective Corps

Members?

RL: Go into it without expectations. Just

keep an open-mind and go with the flow

and you’ll seldom be disappointed!

AI: Come in with an open mind, do not take

things personally, look on the bright side of

everything, and keep a positive attitude!

AA: Even though on your toughest day, it

may seem that you are going to want to

leave and not come back… DON’T! You will

regret your decision. Press on and fight

through the emotions, tomorrow will be

another day, a fresh start.

Center for Maximum Potential Building

Systems. We lived on site again and our

team was tasked with building a

portable housing module that could be

sent to Haiti to be used as emergency

housing in the aftermath of the

earthquake they had 2 years ago. These

projects were my favorite because I had

never been to Texas before and the

diversity of tasks were really

challenging. I learned so much that

round and both San Antonio and Austin

were a lot of fun.

AA: The one I am currently on. The

project has everything to do with my

passion to be outdoors and serve a

community/s in need. It is also the

project that I have learned the most in

and I am engaging myself and new skills

everyday. Our sponsor and site

supervisor are amazing and make every

day count.

In what ways has your team grown

over the past ten months?

RL: I think that our team has become

much more aware and mindful over the

past ten months. We’ve become so

much more conscientious of the people

and communities around us and it began

during our first project in Joplin,

Missouri working with disaster relief

and has held true since. We have

become much more cognizant of the

struggles and strengths in people and

communities and the effect that

community service has on a community

as well as an organization. It is evident

that NCCC teams truly do make a

difference and it’s more than just the

work hours that we put in – it’s

becoming a part of the community in

which we are serving and I think that

our team has grown to see things

differently and much more empathically

and from a new perspective through

what this program has taught us.

Earth Five will finish out their project

in Arkansas before returning to Denver

next month for their final transition

before GRADUATION! The Southwest

Region’s Class XVIII graduation

ceremony will be held on Friday, July

27, 2012.

PAGE 4 ESC APE THE O R D IN AR Y

AmeriCorps NCCC: Benefits of Service

Uniform—includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, BDU pants,

shorts, steel-toed boots, fleece vest, coveralls and more

Housing—campus residences are co-ed floors with same

gender roommates; spike housing is provided by the

project sponsor

Health Care—limited coverage includes payment for

most medical and surgical costs, hospitalization,

prescription drugs, and certain emergency dental, vision,

and maternity care. However, these benefits may be

affected by restrictions on payment for pre-existing

conditions as well as other exclusions.

Child Care—up to $400 per month may be available for

a custodial parent of a minor child

Personal Days—Corps Members are entitled to 3 paid

personal days off from service, as well as 2 paid Life

After AmeriCorps days (subject to approval).

Transportation—NCCC will cover the cost of a Corps

Member’s travel to a campus at the start of a

service year and back home at the end of a service year.

Living Allowance—approximately $4,000 per year (or

$200 every two weeks) before taxes

Training/Skills—CPR/First Aid and Disaster Relief

certification training from the Red Cross, leadership

skills, conflict management, team-building and lots

more

Education Award—Once a Corps Member has

completed 1700 hours of service and successfully

completed the program, they are eligible for the

Education Award. Currently, the award is $5,550.

Loan Forbearance—If Corps Members have Federal

Education loans (Perkins, Stafford, or Direct Loans) they

may be placed in forbearance. Once a Member earns an

Ed. Award, NCCC will pay the interest accrued on

these loans while the Member was in service.

College Credit—We currently offer, through the

American Council of Education, undergraduate credit for

the following three-credit-hour courses: Introduction to

Service Learning and Diversity in Service (available to

both Team Leaders and Corps Members); and

Supervisory Skills (available only to Team Leaders).

Certification from American Humanics in Non -

Profit Employment and Management—NCCC

alumni may enroll in this online program offered by the

University of Montana and LSU-Shreveport.

For more detailed information about benefits, please click here.

If you have any further questions, please contact us at (800) 942-2677 or anccc@cns.gov

NCCC Unit Names

Listed below are the unit names for each

campus! Which one will you be in?

Atlantic Region

Buffalo

Moose

Raven

North Central Region

Cedar

Maple

Oak

Southwest Region

Earth

Fire

Sun

Water

Pacific Region

Blue

Gold

Green

Silver

Southern Region

Delta

River

Note: With FEMA Corps starting soon, all campuses will have additional unit names. Stay Tuned!

VO L UME 3, ISSUE 3 PAGE 5

Where Are We Now?

Atlantic Region

Perry Point, MD

North Central Region

Vinton, IA

Pacific Region

Sacramento, CA

Southern Region

Vicksburg, MS

Southwest Region

Denver, CO

Minneapolis, MN—Cedar 4, from the North Central region is currently working with One Heartland. They are assisting with

summer camp programming for youth with HIV/AIDS. They are also working on facility upgrade projects.

Helena, MT—The Pacific Region’s Gold 1 is currently working with the City of Helena Parks & Recreation Department. The team

is performing fuel reduction and mitigation on pine beetle infested open spaces, including thinning, bucking, limbing, and chipping

removed fuels; trail construction and rehabilitation; fence construction.

Baton Rouge, LA—Delta 8, representing the Southern Region, is working with Habitat for Humanity - Greater Baton Rouge.

They are leading volunteers in new home construction in the Hurricane Katrina affected community.

Poteau, OK—Fire 5, from the Southwest Region is currently working with the Boys and Girls Club of Leflore County. The team

will provide supervision of the club members and implementation of activities offered by the summer program. The team will also

conduct maintenance and repair service activities at the Heavener Runestone State Park.

Fawnskin, CA—Green 7, from the Pacific Region is working with the YMCA - Metropolitan Los Angeles. The team is assisting

with fuel reduction and camp improvement projects.

Fairfield, AL—The Southern Region’s River 11 is currently working with Habitat for Humanity - Birmingham. The team is leading

volunteers in constructing all aspects of houses including roofing, drywall, installation and flooring.

**Note** No projects are listed for the Atlantic Region as teams have completed their 2nd round projects and are on transition

before their summer break.

Want to Serve for a Day? Serve with a current team of NCCC members at a project in your area!

Contact ANCCC@cns.gov for more information.

**Please note, we may be unable to accommodate all “Serve for a Day” requests due to sponsor restrictions.**

Click these links to visit each

campuses’ Facebook page.

Note: You will have to be logged in

to access each page.

PAGE 6 ESC APE THE O R D IN AR Y

An Inside Look: North Central Region

Continuing with our “Inside Look” series, this issue of Escape

the Ordinary will highlight the North Central Region, located

in Vinton, Iowa.

About the Vinton Campus

The North Central Region campus is located in Vinton,

Iowa, about 30 miles northwest of Cedar Rapids. The

NCCC campus is housed on the Iowa Braille and Sight

Saving School (IBSSS) facility and AmeriCorps NCCC shares

space with IBSSS.

Though you most likely only spend about 10-25% of your

time as a Corps Member on campus (the balance of your

time is spent on projects at other locations throughout our

10-state region), you will certainly never mind "coming

home" to Vinton. It is a charming small town with specialty

shops, theater, activity centers and outdoor recreation

opportunities.

The North Central Region campus consists of four buildings:

the Supply Building and three residence halls: Rice Hall,

Palmer Hall and the Cottage. The administrative offices are

open from 8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and

housed in the basement and first floor of Palmer Hall. To

meet with staff outside of these hours you need to make an

appointment with them.

Computer Lab—Palmer Hall

Inside a dormitory room

A kitchen located in one of the halls

Front view of Palmer Hall

Lounge Area

Laundry Room

Palmer Hall, Rice Hall and the Cottage each have three floors. The basement in Palmer is reserved for

the Administrative offices of staff. In Rice Hall the basement consists of training rooms, kitchens,

laundry room and dining areas. The first and second floors in the residence halls consist of

– a total of 10 computers in the lab with Internet access

– washers/dryers (free)

Two to ten Corps Members are assigned to a room. The number of Corps Members is based on

room size. Room amenities include single beds, wardrobes, chairs, a desk and trash can. Roommates

are same-sex.

Lounge amenities include couches, TV, DVD player, tables, books, games and trash/recycling

containers.

Kitchen amenities include ovens/convection ovens, sinks, microwaves and refrigerators. Each team is

assigned a kitchen where they store food and prepare meals. Each team is also assigned their own

refrigerator to store food.

VO L UME 3, ISSUE 3 PAGE 7

AMERICORPS NCCC

1201 New York Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20525

Phone: 800-942-2677

Fax: 202-606-3459

Email: anccc@cns.gov

http://www.americorps.gov/nccc

http://my.americorps.gov

Follow NCCC Online:

What does my NCCC status mean?

After talking with your family and friends, you’ve decided that you want

to become an AmeriCorps NCCC member. What do those pesky

application statuses mean? Well, we’re going to break it down for you

right here.

How does placement work in NCCC?

NCCC employs a “rolling admissions”

process, similar to many colleges. We have

a few rounds of placements during the

application period and additional rounds of

placements once our application period

closes. We continue to fill slots as they

become available, including up to the day

before a campus opens.

All selections and placements are

RANDOM. We have far more qualified

applicants than positions available, and

unfortunately cannot guarantee a position to

all qualified applicants.

Notes From the Author

Congratulations to those of you who have

been selected to serve in Class 19 of

AmeriCorps NCCC this fall and our

inaugural FEMA Corps class this summer!

You’re going to have one amazing journey

and I wish you all the best during your year

of service. Additional invitations for

Class 19 are coming soon!

Special thanks to Heather Dirck and the

amazing Earth 5 for taking time out of their

busy schedule to let me spotlight them for

this edition of “Escape the Ordinary”.

If you have any suggestions on other topics

that you would like to see covered in this

newsletter, let us know by emailing us at

NCCC.

Yours in Service,

Kevin