The Virginia Service Commission was excited to welcome several staff members to Richmond from AmeriCorps yesterday in honor of AmeriCorps Week, including AmeriCorps Seniors Director Atalaya Sergi. She was joined by Adrienne Nash Melendez, Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator; and Lora Grady, Senior Portfolio Manager. Our guests visited Trinity Life Center, an AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent site, where they met several met several "grandmas" and observed their time with the children at the location.

The group then joined AmeriCorps members with Enrichmond Foundation and the Virginia Department of Recreation and Conservation (DCR) and special guests for a service project at Evergreen Cemetery. In addition to participating in a service project clearing a pathway in the historical African American cemetery, they were greeted by Virginia Delegate Delores McQuinn and former Virginia Delegate Viola Baskerville. The group capped off the day at a special roundtable discussion with Virginia national service and volunteerism leaders at The Community Foundation headquarters. See more photos from the day on our Flickr Page.

Remember to share you AmeriCorps Week activities with the Virginia Service Commission! Please tag us on your social media accounts and send us photos and descriptions of how you celebrated the week to patricia.doyle@dss.virginia.gov. Download Governor Youngkin's Proclamation.

Brittany is a VCU graduate with a degree in Psychology, and has spent close to a decade working in the field of therapeutic foster care. She has spent several years performing volunteer work in the capacity of coordinating transportation for pets out of several of Virginia’s rural, southwestern animal shelters, and placing them with rescue organizations throughout the state. In her free time, Brittany enjoys native plant gardening, baking, and DIY projects. Welcome Brittany!

SAVE THE DATE FOR LIFE AFTER AMERICORPS 2022 - The Virginia Service Commission will open registration soon for the our Life After AmeriCorps training event June 3, 2022. The sessions will be virtual and feature a variety of topics to help your members transition from service to their next adventure -- whether it be continued service, career, or continued education. This year's theme is "Stepping Into Your Career!"

2022 VIRGINIA MEMBER CELEBRATION - Thanks to all the members and program staff who attended the Member Celebration on March 8th! All recordings and materials will be available soon on the AmeriCorps Resource Portal under Member Resources. Please remind your members to complete the post-event survey (https://forms.gle/Y1iZi834PgL792eBA) so that we can make decisions on future events.

VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERISM SUMMIT (MAY 4-5, 2022) - Have you registered for the 2022 Virginia Volunteerism Summit yet? Our complete schedule and speakers will be announced in the next few days. Full price registration is now $75 and includes access to both days of the virtual event. Visit the Virginia Volunteerism Summit website to register, and for the latest announcements on speakers, sessions, and much more! NOTE: This year the nominal transaction fee will NOT be paid for by the Virginia Service Commission, however, we encourage you, your staff, and members to attend this fantastic event!

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK (APRIL 17-23) - Volunteer Week is around the corner! Make certain to take the opportunity to thank and celebrate your volunteers during this national week of celebration. We look forward to sharing your service stories throughout this week!

VIRGINIA AMERICORPS INFLUENCER PROGRAM - The Virginia Service Commission was excited to share information on the Virginia AmeriCorps Influencer program at the 2022 Virginia AmeriCorps Member Celebration last week. We've had a fantastic response to the program so far, but we will continue to look for members willing to serve as AmeriCorps Influencers throughout the year. Please continue to promote this opportunity with your members.