AmeriCorps dedicates 'Make A Difference Day' to VCU 40th anniversary celebration

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University’s AmeriCorps program, Virginia’s oldest and largest, will dedicate its Oct. 25 “Make A Difference Day” to volunteering during the Monroe Park Festival being held in conjunction with VCU's 40th Anniversary celebration.

“Usually, we do something out in the community, but since VCU has been our host for so long and the community is actually invited to come here on October 25, we knew we had to do something to support the 40th anniversary celebration,”  said Erin-Marie Brown, VCU AmeriCorps field coordinator.

AmeriCorps’ 57 participants will support the community, VCU and international villages set up in Monroe Park as part of the festival.

VCU’s AmeriCorps program was established in 1995 to boost reading comprehension and skills in Richmond area elementary schools. It is supported by the Division of Community Engagement. This year, AmeriCorps operates 17 programs at elementary schools in the City of Richmond, and Henrico and Chesterfield counties.

AmeriCorps participates in three service-day projects during the school year. In addition to the “Make a Difference Day,” AmeriCorps will partner with “Hands On Greater Richmond” for a project as part of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of service on Jan. 19, 2009. AmeriCorps will also participate in “National and Global Youth Service Day” on April 25, 2009.

“Our ongoing reading efforts and service days are successful because of the dedication of our participants,” Brown said. 

One of them, Anthony Simpson, won the Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service. The award recognizes a second-year AmeriCorps member who has exceeded expectations in their AmeriCorps commitment. Simpson is in his second term at Woodville Elementary School, where he tutors first and second grade students in reading. He received the award during a state AmeriCorps gathering on Oct. 16 at John Tyler Community College.

“Anthony inspires the kids to go to college,” Brown said. “They like him. On his first day back at the school, they were very excited to see him. He has an ability to help people open their eyes and see what they can do.”