As of January 2024, PMSC has officially launched the PMSC AmeriCorps Youth Service Corps, expanding the capacity to address critical needs in education, environmental stewardship, and community wellness across their 14-county service region. Now, youth ages 17+ are eligible to serve a term of National Service: getting things done to benefit the people, land, and water of Southwestern and South Central, PA .
When presented with the possibility to engage their high school students in service, Somerset Area School District and Westmont Hilltop School District administrators seized the opportunity to expand their long-term successful partnerships with PMSC AmeriCorps. So, eight high school students are now on a journey of service: providing reading and math support in their local elementary schools and building relationships across the ages. Two weeks into their terms, these young people are already bringing out the very best of their local communities.
Everyone involved in this initiative benefits: elementary students get the additional support they need, and high school students engage in a challenging opportunity to grow their skills, build their confidence, earn a living stipend, and receive an education award toward furthering their education. Schools benefit from the integral relationship building, and communities benefit from all of these positive impacts for their young people. Each Youth Corps member has a specific position description that helps to empower them to provide hands-on, direct service to the younger students. These members are not just an extra pair of hands in the classroom; instead, they are providing enrichment in younger children’s lives for an unparalleled benefit to all involved. WHSD’s Superintendent, Mr. Thomas Mitchell, knew that expanding the partnership with PMSC AmeriCorps would, “provide valuable career opportunities for potential teaching candidates and offer additional learning opportunities to our elementary school students that need additional support.” With that potential in mind, the WHSD team turned possibility into reality. And, just a few days into her service term, Lindsey Anderson, Westmont Hilltop Senior, knows she made a great decision to serve. When asked about her service with young learners she exclaimed, “I already love it!”
Mr. Trevor Anderson, SASD’s Director of Curriculum and Technology, emphasized the possibility for fostering healthy relationships: “Our juniors and seniors will not only benefit from serving through AmeriCorps, but they will also gain invaluable experience in a real classroom setting. The additional classroom support will have a positive impact on the overall learning experience for our students at Maple Ridge. Any time we have the opportunity for older students to work with younger grades, it helps to build community across our school campuses.” Fostering community, enriching lives, challenging learners of all ages, address critical needs in literacy and math– this is just the beginning of the positive impacts that lie ahead for the PMSC AmeriCorps Youth Service Corps and all of the young lives they are touching.
Investing in our region’s young people is key to the long-term growth and health of our communities. WHSD’s Mr. Mitchell explained that this new program will, “create a long-lasting relationship with these prospective teachers throughout their educational journey, with the hope that they will consider working at Westmont Hilltop in the future.” The PMSC AmeriCorps Youth Service Corps seeks to improve the lives of children and youth of all ages, to promote health and wellness for families, to enrich relationships, and to build thriving connections. Serving our own, growing our own, making lasting long-term positive impacts for all of us. PMSC AmeriCorps: getting things done for PA and for America.
Somerset Area High School students: (L to R) Alisyn Wildner, Hope Miller, and Ben Bowers. Getting things done as the inaugural PMSC Youth Service Corps team at Maple Ridge Elementary.
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