National AmeriCorps Week

"Danielle Hertz and Krysten Powell , in the playhouse" AmeriCorps Supervisor, Marilyn Coates says, “AmeriCorps member Danielle Hertz has been a gentle influence working with the children of Pioneer Technology Center’s (PTC) Children’s Lab and Preschool. She is always willing to lend a hand to our teaching staff. She cuddles Taylor as she reads Mr. Brown says Moo. She brings Wyatt in from outside because he has grass and dirt in his eye so that we can get the debris out and relieve his pain and fear. She assists Ms. Vera as the children arrive for the day. She provides that extra help that gives the children a feeling of security. She pulls Peyton into her lap to make it easier to say goodbye to mom. Danielle is nearby as the children lie down for naptime. She rests close beside Emmie and then moves on to Thaedra to help them relax and fall off to sleep. Danielle Hertz is an asset that helps us provide a loving, enriched learning environment for our children.”

"Justin Denton reading with AmeriCorps member Stan Peterson"AmeriCorps member Stan Peterson serves with Kildare School where he is known as Grandpa Stan. “Stan has been not only a mentor to our students but a “grandfatherly” figure that a lot of our students can talk to”, reports A. J. Ledwig, Kildare Superintendent. No matter what, we can always count on Stan to assist wherever he is needed. Throughout this school year various areas in and out, school might have gone unsupervised if it had not been for “Grandpa Stan”. He is dependable, caring, good natured, willing, a hard worker and always seems to have a smile on his face. It has been a pleasure and joy to have “Grandpa Stan” as a part of our school.”

Playing at the arts and crafts table at Friendship Feast are AmeriCorps member Racqi Hall, Tank Rasha, Luke Lucas and Circe Stewart. AmeriCorps member Racqi Hall divides her AmeriCorps time among three projects. She spends her late afternoons at First Christian Church planning and implementing crafts, games and educational activities for the children who attend Friendship Feast. Racqi is also coordinating United Way sponsored Drug Store 2008 in the fall as well as working with high school students and adult volunteers on the Ponca City Police Department sponsored 2M2L program.

AmeriCorps member, Ben Deffner, helps Blackwell Huston Elementary Center 4th Grade student, Annalyn Kennedy with reading and homework. He is supervised by Beverly Wooderson, Blackwell School Based Social Services Director. Ben serves as a 300 hour minimum time member with the Blackwell Public Schools. He receives $1000 education award for his hours of service.

United Way AmeriCorps member Denise Willoughby assisting an individual with tax preparation.

AmeriCorps member Denise Willoughby joined the United Way Financial Stability Initiative and helped develop the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site in January 2008. Since then she has trained with AARP and the IRS to become a certified tax preparer for basic tax returns. Denise, along with volunteer Rich Terrill and others assisted over 100 tax payers to prepare their 2007 Federal and Oklahoma State tax returns. During the 2007 tax season all types of tax payers were served; high school students, single parents, families, disabled, homeless individuals, and senior citizens. Tax preparation services were offered at no cost to tax payer(s) who made $40,000 or less per year. Denise and volunteers helped bring back (to the community) over $76,000 to tax payers who could truly use the money. The United Way VITA site also worked to increase funds available to low-income families through the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. For individuals who normally do not file a tax return and have earned at least $3,000 in 2007, tax preparation assistance is continuing until October for Economic Stimulus Payments. Through partnerships with banks, schools, the IRS, and other financial literacy projects, Willoughby is developing community financial literacy education for students, seniors and the community at large. “Financial literacy and financial stability is key to overcoming the barriers to family economic success”, states Willoughby. “Through United Way and AmeriCorps I have the opportunity to develop this much needed program and help individuals and families gain self-sufficiency.”

For more information contact AmeriCorps member Denise Willoughby at (580) 765-9022.

NATIONAL AMERICORPS WEEK, May 11-18
	National AmeriCorps Week” is a time to salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible. The largest of AmeriCorps programs, AmeriCorps State and National provides funds to local and national organizations and agencies committed to using national service to address critical community needs in education, public safety, health and the environment.

	"Danielle Hertz and Krysten Powell , in the playhouse" AmeriCorps Supervisor, Marilyn Coates says, “AmeriCorps member Danielle Hertz has been a gentle influence working with the children of Pioneer Technology Center’s (PTC) Children’s Lab and Preschool. She is always willing to lend a hand to our teaching staff. She cuddles Taylor as she reads Mr. Brown says Moo. She brings Wyatt in from outside because he has grass and dirt in his eye so that we can get the debris out and relieve his pain and fear. She assists Ms. Vera as the children arrive for the day. She provides that extra help that gives the children a feeling of security. She pulls Peyton into her lap to make it easier to say goodbye to mom. Danielle is nearby as the children lie down for naptime. She rests close beside Emmie and then moves on to Thaedra to help them relax and fall off to sleep. Danielle Hertz is an asset that helps us provide a loving, enriched learning environment for our children.” "Justin Denton reading with AmeriCorps member Stan Peterson"AmeriCorps member Stan Peterson serves with Kildare School where he is known as Grandpa Stan. “Stan has been not only a mentor to our students but a “grandfatherly” figure that a lot of our students can talk to”, reports A. J. Ledwig, Kildare Superintendent. No matter what, we can always count on Stan to assist wherever he is needed. Throughout this school year various areas in and out, school might have gone unsupervised if it had not been for “Grandpa Stan”. He is dependable, caring, good natured, willing, a hard worker and always seems to have a smile on his face. It has been a pleasure and joy to have “Grandpa Stan” as a part of our school.” Playing at the arts and crafts table at Friendship Feast are AmeriCorps member Racqi Hall, Tank Rasha, Luke Lucas and Circe Stewart. AmeriCorps member Racqi Hall divides her AmeriCorps time among three projects. She spends her late afternoons at First Christian Church planning and implementing crafts, games and educational activities for the children who attend Friendship Feast. Racqi is also coordinating United Way sponsored Drug Store 2008 in the fall as well as working with high school students and adult volunteers on the Ponca City Police Department sponsored 2M2L program. AmeriCorps member, Ben Deffner, helps Blackwell Huston Elementary Center 4th Grade student, Annalyn Kennedy with reading and homework. He is supervised by Beverly Wooderson, Blackwell School Based Social Services Director. Ben serves as a 300 hour minimum time member with the Blackwell Public Schools. He receives $1000 education award for his hours of service. United Way AmeriCorps member Denise Willoughby assisting an individual with tax preparation. AmeriCorps member Denise Willoughby joined the United Way Financial Stability Initiative and helped develop the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site in January 2008. Since then she has trained with AARP and the IRS to become a certified tax preparer for basic tax returns. Denise, along with volunteer Rich Terrill and others assisted over 100 tax payers to prepare their 2007 Federal and Oklahoma State tax returns. During the 2007 tax season all types of tax payers were served; high school students, single parents, families, disabled, homeless individuals, and senior citizens. Tax preparation services were offered at no cost to tax payer(s) who made $40,000 or less per year. Denise and volunteers helped bring back (to the community) over $76,000 to tax payers who could truly use the money. The United Way VITA site also worked to increase funds available to low-income families through the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. For individuals who normally do not file a tax return and have earned at least $3,000 in 2007, tax preparation assistance is continuing until October for Economic Stimulus Payments. Through partnerships with banks, schools, the IRS, and other financial literacy projects, Willoughby is developing community financial literacy education for students, seniors and the community at large. “Financial literacy and financial stability is key to overcoming the barriers to family economic success”, states Willoughby. “Through United Way and AmeriCorps I have the opportunity to develop this much needed program and help individuals and families gain self-sufficiency.” For more information contact AmeriCorps member Denise Willoughby at (580) 765-9022.