- Travis Anctil
- Posted On
AmeriCorps NCCC team connects with community by building homes for Valley fire survivors
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – On Jan. 11, a group of 10 young adults began work constructing several houses in the Valley fire area in southern Lake County.
The team, known as Gold 3, is working toward completing 10 months of community service with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, or NCCC.
Through the sponsorship of local nonprofit North Coast Opportunities, Gold 3 will be aiding Hope Crisis Response Network until April 6.
Hope Crisis Response Network is a nonprofit organization and its mission is “to serve individuals, families and communities impacted by natural or man-made disasters.”
The organization has assisted more than 20,000 families nationwide by providing resources needed to help recover from the impact of a manmade and natural disasters.
It operates all over the country and has assisted in many different disasters including Sept. 11, hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and floods.
Hope Crisis Response Network’s Hope City initiative aims to build 150 new homes in Lake County over the course of the next five years and will continuously involve AmeriCorps teams sent from the Sacramento campus.
Team members have learned a variety of new technical skills on the construction site and has engaged with the community by doing additional service projects.
The AmeriCorps group also assists North Coast Opportunities with food distributions and pantries, letting the customers pick from fresh vegetables and fruits, canned goods, dairy, snacks, breakfast products and meat products. Food is also given to the local schools.
The food distributions and pantries create a massive difference in family’s lives and the community by providing groceries.
AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, residential, national service program in which 2,800 young adults serve nationwide each year. During their 10-month term, Corps Members – all 18 to 24 years old – work on teams of 8 to 12 on projects that address critical needs. Traditional NCCC members work on a variety of different six- to eight-week-long projects related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development. The Pacific Region campus in Sacramento is one of five regional hubs in the nation and serves 10 states in the western part of the country.
In exchange for their service, Corps Members receive $5,780 to help pay for college or to pay back existing student loans. Other benefits include a small living stipend, room and board, travel, leadership development, increased self-confidence, and the knowledge that, through active citizenship, people can indeed make a difference.
Travis Anctil is a member of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps.