WASHINGTON - President Obama today met with four St. Louis area residents who shared stories of their service on www.whitehouse.gov in response to the President's speech at the signing of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act last Tuesday, April 21.
In that speech, President Obama said, "A week from tomorrow marks the 100th day of my administration. In those next eight days, I ask every American to make an enduring commitment to serving your community and your country in whatever way you can. Visit whitehouse.gov to share your stories of service and success. And together, we will measure our progress not just in the number of hours served or volunteers mobilized, but in the impact our efforts have on the life of this nation."
The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act will triple the size of AmeriCorps (from 75,000 to 250,000 members) and focus that service on today's challenges, including clean energy, education, health care, veterans care, and economic opportunity. The bill will also provide new service opportunities for millions of Americans at all stages of their lives. The legislation will develop a fund to seed and grow successful ideas in the nonprofit sector and build the capacity of the nonprofit sector to use volunteers more effectively.
Alicia SchnellAlicia was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bolivia (1997-1999). She was a rural health adviser working on water sanitation. Alicia is now leader of the St. Louis area returned peace corps volunteer community (about 150 strong); they work together to do area service projects together, currently trying to organize a Habitat house. She now volunteers with Healing the Children - a non-profit group that brings children from around the world who need medical attention to U.S. hospitals, the group also sends medical teams abroad. Alicia has traveled with the medical teams, and in St. Louis volunteers as a translator (Spanish) for the children. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, BA in Biology and Psychology; MBA.
Benjamin ZackBenjamin Zack, 24, is a college student at the University of Missouri whose recent time spent in inner city schools in St. Louis has built within him a deep passion for education. Ben began dedicating his life to community service in 2005 when he worked with Americorps as a freshman in college. He started his year of service at Froebel Elementary School as a member of AmeriCorps St. Louis. His time with AmeriCorps took him from urban playgrounds to the Katrina-ravaged Mississippi coast, and many places in between. Four years after his year of service with AmeriCorps, he still works with St. Louis Public Schools. He now works with America SCORES St. Louis, an after-school program that fosters leadership, teamwork, and community involvement in underserved elementary schools. At times, his work with America SCORES has crossed paths with the first students he worked with when he moved to St. Louis. He is originally from Spokane, Washington.
Tina Marie DohogneTina Marie Dohogne, 50, is the Executive Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Volunteer Intergenerational Center of Cape Girardeau and Scott Counties, Missouri. Tina has been employed in this field for 29 years. Raised on a farm in a small rural town with a population of less than 100, she understands the importance of reaching out and helping one's neighbor. These two programs have indeed made an impact on her life as she has the unique privilege of witnessing miracles performed every single day by dedicated and caring individuals in her community - VOLUNTEERS! Directing both programs is a challenge but one that Tina looks forward to each day and reflects on the good that is accomplished by those who extend their hand to a total stranger in need. This is more than a job to Tina; it is an adventure and one that would make any American proud to be a part of.
Annie PickAnnie Pick, 71, is a resident of Chesterfield, MO. It was President Obama's call that first moved Annie to service, as she searched on USAService.org where she found an organization called Wings of Hope. Annie is retired and helps with anything computer-related at Wings of Hope. The office is located only ten miles from her home, making it easy for her to volunteer on a routine basis. President Obama's call to service created the vehicle through which Annie was able to be matched with an appropriate volunteer organization. Annie says that being able to use her experience to help others is quite rewarding, and urges all retirees to answer the same call she did. |
