This week is AmeriCorps Week!  We are celebrating our longstanding partnership with AmeriCorps and the VISTA members who have dedicated their lives to service. AmeriCorps, established in 1994, has grown into a vast network of national service programs. The program relies on civic engagement to address our nation’s most critical community needs.

For 10 years, United Way has had the opportunity to participate in the AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program.  This national program has provided us with top of the line staff members, allowing us to significantly expand our programs to reach more children and their families in Lake County. Each volunteer member makes a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. Indeed, they are some of the most passionate and service-minded individuals we’ve ever worked with. By hosting our very own VISTA member, Katherine Velazquez, we are proud to join the list of over 80 United Ways who partner with AmeriCorps to make their community a better place. Here’s what Katherine and her manager, Edna Galvan, had to say about this special week: