AmeriCorps Program Directors Monthly Update | September 1, 2021
Reminder: Next Virginia AmeriCorps Program Director
Zoom Meeting is Monday, October 18, 2021, 10-11am,
Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88644367459 Password @meriCorp5
Program Start-Up

Resources for Program Start-Up - The Virginia Service Commission has a couple of great resources you can use as you begin your program year.


OnCorps Reminders - Programs need to input their budget and performance measures into OnCorps, and make sure their timesheets are set up as you begin the program year.

Resource Portal Tip - Many of the documents and forms on the Resource Portal are currently being stored on a Google Drive and linked on the portal webpage. When you click on these files, you will need to download to your own device to alter and update. You will not be able to edit or alter on the Google Drive.
End of the Year Items

Program End of the Year Resources - Please ensure you are following all items on the program end of year checklist. A signed copy with items completed is due to your program officer by dates indicated.
 
If you are exiting any members CPC COVID-19, the appropriate resources are linked below. ANY COVID-19 CPC exit should be documented on the spreadsheet and sent to your Program Officer and CC Compliance Officer, Samantha, when you exit your last member, the latest date should be September 30th.
 
Performance Measurement

Performance Measure GPR - The new performance measure GPR is due 9/30 and the data collection plans are due 10/15. Please check the Resource Portal for the 2021 requirements. Contact Analise Adams, analise.adams@dss.virginia.gov, if you have questions.
Training and Events

AmeriCorps Opening Day - The Virginia Service Commission has changed the 2021 Virginia AmeriCorps Opening Day to a one-day VIRTUAL EVENT, Monday, October 4, 9am-3:15pm. The online event will feature training along with the official swearing in ceremony. Program directors/staff will receive registration information soon and will be responsible for having their members register themselves. We look forward to welcoming the 2021-22 class of AmeriCorps members!


AmeriCorps Program Orientation and Training Feedback Needed - If you haven't done so already, please complete our post-event survey from the July training event. The survey will remain open until 9/15. We value your feedback!

Communications & Branding
AmeriCorps Branded Signage and Materials - The VSC has ordered signage, stickers, and other identifying collateral materials with the new AmeriCorps brand for distribution to our AmerCorps State programs. We are planning for these materials to be available for pick-up at the AmeriCorps Opening Day event, October 4-5. If this event does not occur in-person, we will arrange for shipment of these materials.

9/11 Day of Service - We are looking forward to seeing all of the wonderful projects planned by you for the 20th anniversary of 9/11 Day! We have received information from most of you and have forwarded those details to AmeriCorps and the Governor's Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism. Please remember to take lots of photos, post details on social media, and use the nationally-sanctioned hashtags and language. For more information on how you can promote your events and amplify the message of service, check out more tools below:

New Substance Use Disorder Resource
SUD Ally Training Hub - Check out the Virginia Department of Social Services new Substance Abuse Disorder Ally Training Hub for tangible tools and strategies to help better connect families to resources, increase SUD prevention activities, strengthen community collaboration, and promote recovery. The videos and additional resources support a community of prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction and enable staff to activate strategies and solutions, and encourage advocacy.
Meet the Latest AmeriCorps Team Members from Across Virginia!

The Virginia Service Commission is excited to introduce the newest AmeriCorps Program Directors and Staff for the 2021-22 program year. Welcome!
Paula Fynboh,
Executive Director
Aspire! Afterschool Learning

Paula joined Aspire! in June and brings 20 years of nonprofit leadership, program development, equity and social justice experience at the local, national, and international level. Paula spent the past seven years as Vice President of Program Diversity and Sustainability at Sandy Hook Promise. She previously served as an advocacy and communications consultant for nonprofit organizations and donor collaboratives across three continents but spent the early part of her career engaged in grassroots organizing.
Kristy Nuss Milburn,
Program Director
Aspire! Afterschool Learning

For a decade, Kristy has supported environmental and social justice nonprofit organizations through fundraising events, capacity building, and program management. She has an adventurous spirit and loves to travel, which led her to live in China for four years. In China Kristy worked for the Jane Goodall Institute, where she accompanied Dr. Jane Goodall on a five-day trip in Beijing --during which she executed the largest fundraising event at JGI China to date! Kristy is excited to bring her drive and passion for building a better world to Aspire! In her free time, She enjoys going on adventures with her husband and two children.
Mary Ruth Wossum-Fisher, Grants and Compliance Officer
Boys and Girls Club of
Greater Lynchburg (BGCGL)

Originally from Pulaski, TN, Mary Ruth started at the BGCGL in the summer of 2020 as a grant writer for the Kids First Collaborative through their AmeriCorps VISTA program. After her year of service concluded, she continued at BGCGL as a Grants and Compliance Officer. Mary Ruth is an alumna of Mary Baldwin University and holds a MA in Cultural Anthropology from University of Tennessee Knoxville.
Sandy Montgomery,
Program Director
Carroll County Public Schools

Sandy is a retired elementary school educator with 41 years experience. After serving 12 years as a classroom teacher and 29 years as an elementary school principal, she retired in 2018. Following retirement, she found herself missing "everything elementary", especially the students. She says her greatest joy comes from interacting with students and meeting their needs through education. "The Carroll County AmeriCorps program, which places Reading and Math tutors in all of our elementary and middle schools, seems a perfect place for me to serve," she says.
Genifer Ross,
Program Director
Enrichmond Foundation

A Mississippi native and AmeriCorps VISTA alum, Genifer enjoys serving in her community and facilitating opportunities for fellow community members to be paired with service opportunities that fit their service needs. She developed a strong sense of devotion for nonprofit and volunteer leadership while volunteering for an annual book bag giveaway for students. As the line grew longer and longer, she realized that if she could facilitate volunteer opportunities, she could make a greater impact. Genifer strongly believes that, "Volunteerism is not just a choice, it's a lifestyle!"
Rebecca Davis,
Program Director
Richmond Healthy Futures Opioid Prevention and Economic Opportunities Program (RHOPE)

Rebecca, a native of Boise, ID, moved to Richmond three years ago. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Boise State University and a Master’s degree in social work from Northwest Nazarene University. Rebecca spent seven years in the mental health field before moving to Richmond to join AmeriCorps VISTA. She served two years in this role, assisting the City of Richmond with building capacity in their Love Your Block program before taking on the role of program supervisor for the RHOPE program. She’s an avid reader, loves going to the beach, and spends most of her time with her two teenagers.

Mary Anne Holbrook
Sr. Director of Development,
United Way of SW Virginia

Mary Anne joined the team in 2016 and oversees the Community Relations and Marketing & Communications Departments. A passionate advocate for Southwest Virginia, she develops strategies to grow the organization and bring resources needed to implement programs and initiatives. Mary Anne also leads partnership development for the organization, working collaboratively with businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies. She has been a recipient of The TriCities 40 Under 40 and is an alumna of the Appalachian Leadership Institute. A graduate of Radford University, Mary Anne holds a master’s degree in English. She lives in Washington County with her husband, Jon, and their children.

Annie Barnes
Fiscal Officer,
Virginia College Advising Corps

Annie has a diverse background across multiple industries, including higher education, subsidized housing programs, and continuing care retirement communities. After completion of her BA in Communication Science and Disorders from James Madison University, she became very involved with the homeless population and housing rights advocacy groups. This led to roles working with Open Doors, a temporary thermal shelter for unserved homeless populations and Brandon Oaks Life Plan Community in Roanoke. Annie lives in Charlottesville with her partner Parantapa and is thrilled to work and serve an organization that expands education opportunities for all.
Scott Peterson
Virginia Service and Conservation Corps

Scot is an AmeriCorps VISTA alum who served with the Salt River Pima Maricopa Community in Scottsdale, AZ, managing a community beautification program and serving as a volunteer organizer for the community's Environmental
Protection and Natural Resources Division. After moving back to Virginia in 2015, he helped a former colleague start one of the first Native American owned and operated coffee roasteries. In 2020, Scott began working in the Clerk's Office of the House of Delegates and as an enumerator during the 2020 Census. During his free time, you'll find Scott riding bikes, gardening, or spending time on the James River in Richmond.
Kailey Brown,
Eastern Program Manager
Virginia Service and Conservation Corps

Having most recently worked as the Outdoor Education Area Director for a private school in Falls Church, Kailey's passion for serving her community goes as far back as she remembers. She volunteered in grade school to work with disabled elderly in her hometown, coached youth lacrosse in high school and college, and a few years ago she started her own nonprofit (Military Wild) that coordinates monthly group hikes and events for over 5,000 military families across the country. Kailey has been traveling everywhere in the world from Guam to Kansas in the last four years with her partner who serves in the Air Force and just recently moved to Virginia. When not at work, you’ll find Kailey hitting the trails, organizing community clean ups, and hanging with her dog Hootie.
Stephanie Gorham,
Executive Director
Volunteer Hampton Roads

Stephanie received her BA from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX, and is currently working on her MBA from Virginia Wesleyan University. She is a seasoned nonprofit professional with 20 years of experience working for various nonprofits in Texas and Virginia. She began her career working in higher education at Midwestern State University, she then served as the Vice President of Resource Development for the United Way of North Texas and the Director of Development for CASA of Red River, TX. After moving to Virginia, Stephanie raised funds for the Tidewater Community College Educational Foundation for three years before coming to VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads in 2018. Stephanie resides in Chesapeake with her husband Jim Gorham, a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy, and their four kids, Kaitlyn, Greyson, Lily, and Sally.

Olga González Nickols,
Deputy Director
Volunteer Hampton Roads

Olga is originally from Costa Rica and is a proud mother of three Latinx children doing good in the world. She has worked in operations for nonprofits for 15 years in database administration, donor relations, volunteer management, and overall fundraising operations. Most recently, Olga comes to Volunteer Hampton Roads from from Tidewater Community College where she served at the Educational Foundation managing fundraising operations. She came to Virginia from western New York where served as a firefighter and EMT in Allegany County for many years. Olga holds a BS in Journalism from John Brown University and also works as a freelance translator and interpreter.
VSC Team
Kathy Spangler
Director, OVCS
(804) 726-7075
Roxanne Saunders
Program Manager
(804) 726-7931
Analise Adams
Program Officer
(804) 726-7653
Kimberly Brown
Program Officer
(804) 726-7069
Samantha Lukasiewicz
Program Officer
(804) 726-7925
Sasha Bronder
Americorps VISTA Leader, Community Action Capacity
Building Project
(804) 726-7930
Jae-Young Choe
Executive Assistant
(804) 726-7065
Christina Dumas
Monitoring & Compliance Specialist
(804) 726-7675
Leanne Costantinidis
Project & Training Coordinator
(804) 726-7675
Gail Doyle
Communications Specialist
(804) 502-7553