FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec 12, 2022

Michael D. Smith visited national service projects and met with leaders from across the city

WASHINGTON, DC- AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith visited New York, N.Y. last week to meet with national service leaders, see the impact of national service programs and hear from AmeriCorps members and alumni.  

On Friday, Dec. 9, Smith met with Stephanie Streett, executive director of the nonprofit Clinton Foundation to discuss opportunities to expand national service and volunteerism.  

Smith then joined Lisette Nieves, AmeriCorps board member, in co-hosting a discussion with national service stakeholders on strategies to remove barriers to service, strengthen workforce pathways and expand service and volunteering to meet critical challenges in New York. Participants included Linda J. Cohen, executive director of the New York State Commission, Laura Rog, NYC chief service officer and two dozen national service, nonprofit and state and local government leaders.  

Smith then participated in a site visit to an urban farm located in a Brooklyn public housing complex operated by Green City Force, an AmeriCorps State and National program, to learn how members build climate resilience and community cohesion through environmental stewardship. Green City Force trains young leaders from low-income housing communities to power a green and inclusive economy through service. Smith was joined by Maron Alemu, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries’ district director, Domingo Morales, a Green City Force AmeriCorps alumnus who founded Compost Power, and representatives of the New York City Housing Authority and Howard Houses Tenant Association.  

Smith ended his trip at City Hall where he hosted a roundtable discussion with AmeriCorps members serving with NYC Service, a division of the Office of the Mayor focused on volunteerism and service. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve across New York, including schools, food banks, homeless shelters, health clinics, youth centers, veterans' facilities, and other nonprofit and faith-based organizations.  

Each year, more than 19,600 Americans of all ages and backgrounds unite to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity at more than 2,100 locations in New York. In 2021, AmeriCorps invested more than $48.2 million in federal funding to support cost-effective community solutions, working hand-in-hand with local partners to empower individuals to help communities tackle their toughest challenges. 

Follow AmeriCorps on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for additional highlights from Smith’s trip.   

Michael D. Smith Meets National Service Leaders in New York
Michael D. Smith Meets National Service Leaders in New York
Michael D. Smith Meets National Service Leaders in New York
Michael D. Smith Meets National Service Leaders in New York

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/serve.