January 6, 2025 • 33 mins
The Dan River Year AmeriCorps program celebrates its decade of impact in the community. The episode highlights the evolution of the program and its multifaceted approach to address educational gaps in STEM and literacy.
This episode features Dana Silicki (Director of STEM, Service, and Lifelong Learning at IALR), Audia Harris (Program Coordinator at IALR), and Adam Goebel (Executive Director of the Danville Science Center), each of whom share their unique perspective on the impact of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program.
Episode highlights include:
• Overview of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program
• The evolution of focus from STEM to include literacy
• Recruitment processes and member demographics
• AmeriCorps members' roles in classrooms and mentoring
• Success stories demonstrating program impact
• Future directions for community service and educational efforts
• Current recruitment opportunities for interested members
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Caleb Ayers (00:09):
Welcome to another episode of Inside IALR.
Thanks for joining us today.
I feel like we've had a lot ofanniversaries this year of
programs.
We've obviously, daniel, hadour series about the 20-year
anniversary of this building,the main IALR building.
Today we have anotheranniversary episode.
We are in our 10th year of theDan River Year AmeriCorps
(00:29):
program and that year, meaningSeptember through August, is
when their year runs.
So we are right in the middleof that year.
This program.
We'll get kind of into theweeds of what it is and what it
has been, but basically thisprogram is all about STEM and
literacy for students in lateelementary school and it's an
(00:49):
AmeriCorps program that we runhere.
So we have three guests.
We have Adam Goebel, who is theexecutive director of the
Danville Science Center, whichhas served as one of the host
sites for this program for all10 years it's been here.
We have Dana Salicki, who isthe Director of STEM, lifelong
and Service Learning here at theInstitute for Advanced Learning
and Research.
(01:10):
And we have Audia Harris, whois the Program Coordinator and
does a lot of work with thisAmeriCorps program and also was
a three-time member previously.
So thank you all for being here.
I appreciate it.
Dana Silicki (01:22):
Thank you, thanks for having us.
Caleb Ayers (01:23):
So I guess we'll start big picture, kind of how
let's take it back 10 years, howdid this AmeriCorps program
begin?
And kind of what was thebackstory and what was the
vision from that day one.
Dana Silicki (01:35):
So Julie Brown.
Dr Julie Brown had the idea ofcan we bring AmeriCorps here?
She heard about AmeriCorps.
There had been past AmeriCorpsprograms, I believe previously
with the Institute, and soAmeriCorps is kind of like a
civilian Peace Corps and soabout giving back to the
community, helping the community.
(01:56):
So it feeds right into ourmission of economic
transformation and helpingothers in our community, and so
one of the needs of thecommunity is that we are behind
some other areas in our STEM andso science, technology,
engineering and math, and so wewanted a way to partner with
other organizations to try toclose that gap in STEM, to make
(02:19):
our area more competitive in theeconomy and also have higher
skills as well.
So starting with that STEMfocus, which again feeds right
into what we work on in AdvancedLearning Department at the
Institute, was a good way tobring some members to the area,
some service and serve ourcommunity.
Caleb Ayers (02:41):
And just to bring it a little bit bigger what is
AmeriCorps?
Dana Silicki (02:48):
So AmeriCorps is a national service opportunity,
and so it is a way that you cangive back to the community while
serving your community.
It's considered nationalservice so it can give you a leg
up when you go to apply forjobs.
It's a way that you can buildyour skills and your resume
while maybe you're looking for acareer change, maybe you're
just looking for a gap year,maybe you're looking to give
(03:11):
back to your community in ameaningful way.
So it's a way that members canhelp serve the community here
locally.
It is a national program.
Our program services here inVirginia, but each AmeriCorps
program is slightly different.
Caleb Ayers (03:25):
You know you're talking about that focus on STEM
.
That was, you know, very muchthe focus in the beginning and I
know still is a big part ofwhat you all do Talk about.
And I mean this is for all ofyou talk a little bit about how
you've seen the program changeover the years, because I know
there's been things that havebeen added on to that to help
enhance, I guess, the focus ofthis program.
Dana Silicki (03:50):
In the beginning we did have that STEM focus and
we had a broad range of agesthat we worked with because
anybody can learn STEM, anybodycan enhance their skills in that
area.
So a lot of our partners, youknow, ranged from youth all the
way up to adults in that science, technology, engineering and
math.
Over time our partner sites andalso data for our community is
saying, you know, literacy isalso a need that we have.
And so because some of oursites are saying it's great, the
(04:14):
STEM and there is a need forthat, but with the students,
especially if they can't readthe math problem, they can't do
the math problem.
So we did add literacy in thereas a focus area, as a means to
get to some of our audience.
You can still teach and help inthe STEM areas through literacy
as well.
It's kind of all-encompassing.
(04:35):
Our ages have changed a littlebit.
We did partner with severalorganizations in the beginning
which serviced adults at thecommunity college and Averitt
Goodwill and things of thatnature.
But we wanted to really buildstrong and get really good at
what we're doing.
Instead of having a broaderarea, we kind of honed it down a
(04:57):
little bit.
We in the schools we're workingmore with middle schools in the
beginning.
In the schools we're workingmore with middle schools in the
beginning.
But as our partner sites havesaid and what we've seen is some
of that gap, the earlier youcatch the students, the better
to close that gap.
So we've now shifted toelementary for most of ours.
We do still have some middleschool students we work with at
(05:22):
some of our partner sites thatare after school and out of
school time as well, butshifting to a little bit lower
age group to catch them, whilestudents are still kind of
learning to read so that theycan read to learn later as well.
Caleb Ayers (05:36):
With that shift.
Tell me a little bit about kindof the logistics of the program
as a whole.
Now I mean Dana, you justmentioned that it's in.
I mean primarily focusing onfourth and fifth grade for
literacy and STEM skills.
But talk to me a little bitabout the logistics of the
program.
Where are these members comingfrom?
Where are they going?
You know how does that work.
Audia Harris (05:57):
We recruit AmeriCorps members.
We use Indeed as our majorplatform.
We also are open to references.
We go out and we do a lot ofcommunity engagement to recruit
AmeriCorps members.
But we have members that arefresh out of high school.
They've never had, you know,their first job.
(06:18):
Although this is a nationalservice opportunity, it kind of
gives them that work experience.
We have retired teachers.
That's a group that we love torecruit because they have that
background in education and orearly childhood education.
Career switchers we have someof our members you know they
(06:40):
were interested in this careerbut they're like hey, I'm
thinking about education ornonprofits, so this is a way
that they could serve with ourprogram to see you know, hey, is
this for me or is it not for me?
So our recruitment pool is verylarge.
We we serve as Danville,pennsylvania County, so we do
(07:00):
try to recruit members in thecity, also in rural areas, while
still recognizing those needsin the community.
Adam Goebel (07:08):
I'd like to add on to that as well, caleb, if you
don't mind.
Like you said earlier, we'vebeen a host site since the
AmeriCorps program's inceptionhere in Danville and as far as
the quality of the members thathave served there, we've had a
dozen almost 20 differentmembers throughout our 10-year
partnership with the program.
But the diversity of theservice members is what I find
(07:30):
intriguing and fascinating.
You know, adia said you've gotthem coming straight out of high
school all the way throughretired teachers, and our
experience reflects that as well.
Each time these individualsbring different skill sets,
different experiences, differentwants, needs, desires is what
they want to get out of theprogram.
So I think that's a realfeather in the cap to their
(07:51):
recruiting efforts.
Caleb Ayers (07:54):
And yeah, no, I do think that's to have something
where you can recruit for thesame position, that you're
recruiting someone straight outof high school and a recent
retiree into the same thing.
That's not many things likethat.
So I guess, talk about let'stalk a little bit about at these
sites, both in schools I knowwe're working in the elementary
(08:15):
schools in Pennsylvania County,danville, and then, you know,
obviously at the DanvilleScience Center and there are
other after-school off-siteprograms as well, kind of what
are the tutors doing?
What are the AmeriCorps membersdoing with the students, what
are the activities like?
What's kind of theon-the-ground feel of this
program?
Adam Goebel (08:34):
Obviously, our operation organization is a
little bit different than aformal school system, right?
So we have almost 20,000 squarefoot of interactive public
exhibit space, we have a scienceon the sphere, we have a
creativity lab JT Mini Mall,charitable Trust Creativity Lab
so we have a lot of differentoptions, if you will, for the
members that serve at our site.
Obviously, our mission is toinspire our visitors to enrich
(08:58):
their lives through science.
So it definitely fits in withthe STEM focus of the Dan River
Year AmeriCorps program.
But, depending on the member,they bring a different and
unique skill set that we can Aeither build upon or B if
there's something that theywould like to work on during
their time while they're there,we can have them.
(09:18):
You know, even simple stufflike soft interpersonal skills,
public speaking in front of adiverse audience.
You know that's not somethingthat's normally taught in a
formal school system, but youhave the options to have those
experiences when you serve atthe Science Center.
Americorps members help us inour creativity lab where we do
critical thinking, problemsolving kind of challenges
(09:39):
throughout the day.
They sometimes are helping withgroups or Boy Scout camps in
our facilities and within ourgalleries.
We had an AmeriCorps memberthat had a background in botany
and really liked outdoors, andwe found her as a very good fit
in our seasonal butterflystation where she was able to
parlay those skills andbackground and experience in
(10:04):
botany and plants and help toeducate and inspire kids as they
came through the butterflystation, learn about habitats
and pollinators and so on and soforth.
So ours is a little bitdifferent.
It's not like a cookie-cutterapproach.
Every AmeriCorps member does thesame thing.
What we like to do is we liketo find where the strengths and
the weaknesses of each of theindividual members because they
do come from such a diverseaudience and background right,
(10:27):
and how can we match the needsof our programs and services
with the skills and thestrengths of the AmeriCorps
members.
But also there's the other sidewhere it's not all about what
can they do for us, it's whatcan we as a host site do for
them.
So there's that personaldevelopment aspect, to where, if
(10:48):
there is something that theywant to work on, if there is a
skill set or a specific interestthat they have and they've
never really had the opportunityto kind of dive into, if we can
provide that experience, thenwe do the best we can to try to
match what they would like toget out of the program and also
what we get out of the program,but how we can also help them
(11:10):
develop both personally andprofessionally throughout their
role as they serve.
Caleb Ayers (11:13):
Right, as you were talking, it just kind of clicked
in my brain that, and I thinkwith ATDM, I remember one time
our former director was callingit a win-win-win program and I
just heard, as you were sayingthat, that this is beneficial
for the students who are comingand or the people who are coming
and experiencing this, and forthe members who are getting
these skills and gaining workexperience or getting to
(11:34):
contribute back to the community.
I mean both of those thingsgetting, you know, gaining
skills and contributing back.
Adam Goebel (11:38):
And then for the sites, right for you know, the
danville science center, theschool divisions or, um,
whichever, whichever sitethey're at, that this is, this
is beneficial for all it helpsus increase our capacity and
what we can do to the peoplethat we serve within the
community right, we're verysmall staffed, so whenever we
can do to the people that weserve within the community right
, we're very small staffed sowhenever we can have assistance
(11:58):
and be able to add not onlyquantity but also quality of the
experiences that we can offer,that's where the AmeriCorps
program has really reallystepped in.
Caleb Ayers (12:07):
In the schools.
What does it look?
I know because, yeah, whatyou're saying at the science
center is very different thanwhat's happening in the schools.
Dana Silicki (12:17):
So in the schools is different for each school a
little bit, but you know themain outline is the members are
paired with a couple of teachers, generally in those STEM or
English classrooms, and they'reworking with students who have
been identified as needing someextra assistance.
So a lot of times the memberswill be there in the classroom
(12:39):
hearing what and how the teacherteaches, because it's changed a
little bit for some of us thathave been out of school for a
while and so that they can seesome of that content.
But a lot of students, you knowif you have a classroom full of
students, they have differentlearning styles, they have
different abilities and levelsof prior knowledge that it's
really hard for the teacher toidentify and meet all of those
(13:01):
needs at a time.
So students that have beenidentified as needing extra
assistance, the member can stepin and pull those students
sometimes it's in the back ofthe classroom, sometimes it's in
a completely separate area insmall groups and one-on-one, and
further enhance what theteacher is doing.
So they're not reinventing thewheel of what the teacher is
(13:23):
teaching, but having thatone-on-one and small group
intervention proves beneficialto the students in one, getting
a little bit more attention andalso there's a mentorship aspect
that comes in there too, whichstudies have shown when they
have those trusted individualsand that time to really build
that bond, working on thosehelps students succeed as well.
So they get that extraopportunity to have a little bit
(13:45):
more one-on-one time to furtherexpand any questions they have
or things that they might havemissed, or have the information
given to them in a little bitdifferent way because we all
learn differently while alsofeeling that they are definitely
included and have a voice tohelp them and answer any
(14:08):
questions that they have to makesure that their needs are being
met as well.
Caleb Ayers (14:11):
Adia, I think you have a unique perspective as
someone who has both served as amember and now helps to manage
the program.
So tell us a little bit fromyour experience, kind of what is
it like and I know it haschanged because, as we're
talking about, the program haschanged some, but what is it
like serving as an AmeriCorpsmember and then kind of, how did
that experience help you goingforward in your career?
Audia Harris (14:34):
I believe I was in the first cohort in 2015.
At that time we had full-timeservice positions, so I was a
full-time member serving 1,700hours.
My service site was the STEMAcademy and the Regional
Alternative School located inPennsylvania County.
My site supervisor was DeborahPowell.
(14:54):
She's retired now, but it wasvery rewarding for me.
I completed three service yearswith the Dan River Year Program
.
I've always had a love forstudents and education.
My background was in earlychildhood or early child care,
but I ran across the post onIndeed and the thing that stood
(15:15):
out to me was working withstudents in STEM science,
technology, engineering and math.
So being there, as Adammentioned, gaining that
professional development.
I was able to work withstudents, teachers,
administrators, network,recognize some of those student
needs In 2015,.
(15:36):
I served from 2015 to 2018, andmentoring was a big part of the
program then.
So not only were we tutoring,the members were also mentoring
and building that rapport andthose relationships with the
students.
As an alumni, I feel like it'shelped me as a program
coordinator today because I'vebeen in the position or in the
(16:00):
shoes of the members so I canrelate to them firsthand.
I know what it's like to go toyour site.
I know what it's like whenyou're trying to get those
service hours in.
I know what it's like when weare providing trainings and
different opportunities.
So it's really afforded me agreat experience to know that I
was a member.
(16:20):
I served in the community,giving back, earning that
program and professionaldevelopment.
The theme at the RegionalAlternative School was Diamonds
in the Rough and I feel likethat we were polished.
It polished me for the nextstep, for my career path.
Caleb Ayers (16:36):
And obviously now you work here, so that's good
and I love it.
Adam Goebel (16:40):
I've got something I would like to add to that too,
just a unique experience fromthe Science Center's perspective
.
You know Audia started off as aservice member, obviously
enjoyed it, did well and washired on as a program
coordinator later on to helpfacilitate the program.
We've had, like I mentionedearlier I was trying to count
back it's at least 15, if not 17AmeriCorps members throughout
(17:03):
the decade that we've been avery gracious partner to the
program.
But of those we've actually inturn we've had several that have
served multiple terms overmultiple years.
But we've also in turn hired,been able to bring on four of
those AmeriCorps members overthe course of the 10 years to
become employed at the DanvilleScience Center.
So it's not only about theexperience but also, I think
(17:25):
there's some good networking.
You get to learn opportunities,you get to meet different
people and it kind of helps youget your foot in the door.
Opportunities you get to meetdifferent people and it kind of
helps you get your foot in thedoor, as in the case of the four
AmeriCorps members that havegone on to serve as an employee
of the Science Center once theyfinish their service year.
So I think that's an indicatorthat the program is working.
Caleb Ayers (17:44):
Dana, do you want to talk to that too, because I
know there's a lot of those kindof success stories of, yeah,
people serving in the programand then going on either to work
with the organization that theyserved at or just in general
going on to do cool things.
Dana Silicki (17:56):
Being in our 10th year, it's been great seeing
some of our past members,especially in the path that
they've taken since theirAmeriCorps service.
Their AmeriCorps service, likeAdam said and he does a great
job at his site of what they doin their service is tailored a
little bit different for everymember, because everybody's in a
different point in their life,looking for different skills.
(18:17):
So, being able to see membersthat were able to build on
skills that they already had orlearn new skills, it's been neat
seeing how some, with thatnetworking and experience, have
been able to get jobs at theirsite or at similar sites due to
the experience that theyacquired.
We just had one of our 2017members was just teacher of the
(18:39):
year at the school that he worksat, and I remember he was one
of our summer members.
You know, just starting out, hewasn't quite sure if he wanted
to go into teaching, and sowe've had a lot of stories of
because this is, you know, juststarting out.
He wasn't quite sure if hewanted to go into teaching, and
so we've had a lot of stories ofbecause this is, you know, a
year of service.
Now the year of service couldbe three months to 12 months,
depending on your contractlength.
But it's a little bit less of acommitment than a full-time job
(19:03):
jumping straight in and it's alittle bit easier to get into
because there's not quite allthe qualifications that you
would need to be, say, if you'reinterested in going to teaching
.
So it's a great way to see isthis a good fit, before you
invest in that full degree andlicense and things, and so
that's been a really great thing.
For some members they said, yes,this is what I want to do.
(19:24):
It is reinforce what they want.
For some members they said, oh,this is not for me.
I'm glad I had this experiencebefore.
I did fully invest in that andrealized it's not what I want.
So one of the great thingsabout AmeriCorps is having that
opportunity, because it's hardfor any of us to know exactly
what you want to do if youhaven't gotten your feet wet in
that field yet.
(19:45):
So we've seen a lot of successstories of you know members
going on remaining in the field.
We've seen still success ifthey realize this is not what I
want to do and maybe it'sintroduced them to other
opportunities as well.
Caleb Ayers (19:58):
As Adam, as you and Dana were talking about that, I
was just thinking how similarthis is to an internship and the
way that you know, a lot oftimes you see interns go on to
work for the company thatthey're at.
And that same idea withinternships that you, you want
them to either figure out theylike that thing or that they
don't, and that's.
That's cool to hear that justyeah, you guys break that down
like that.
What kind of success and impactdoes this program have on the
(20:19):
students that we work with?
Like is there a eitheranecdotally or tangibly um like
with with the numbers?
Are there ways to break downlike what?
What kind of impact is thishaving with the students who are
involved?
Audia Harris (20:29):
So the students not only receive extra services
or tutoring in the classroom butthey also build those
relationships and rapport withthe AmeriCorps members.
And although we monitor testscores and you know social
emotional learning things likethat scores and you know
social-emotional learning thingslike that is some of the small
things that count We've hadstudents that are struggling
(20:53):
with handwriting and becausethey're working one-on-one with
our AmeriCorps member, we've hadsuccess stories where the
parents are coming back like,hey, my child's handwriting has
improved.
You know they said that theyhad an AmeriCorps member working
with them in the classroom andlook how proud you know that the
students are when they'rewriting and it's you know they
(21:16):
can read it and the AmeriCorpsmembers can make out what
they're trying to say.
You know doing their tests andthings like that.
So we've had those stories.
I think the members.
It's very rewarding for themembers because they see where
the students are when they beginserving with them on day one,
the first day of school, whenthey're meeting a total stranger
(21:39):
right, they've never seen thisperson and they're like hi, my
name is such and such, I'm withthe AmeriCorps program, I'm here
to help you.
And students can be kind oftimid at first.
But around this time, as weclose out first semester, the
students are like, hey, you know, I can't wait to see you after
Christmas.
(22:00):
Or you weren't here yesterday,where were you at, you know?
Because they may have had adoctor's appointment or
something like that.
So the students really lookforward to the AmeriCorps
members serving in the classroom.
They're serving as an extra setof eyes, an extra set of hands,
and sometimes the students arefearful to raise their hand and
answer a question or speak infront of the classroom.
(22:22):
But the AmeriCorps members alsobuild their confidence, just
like I mentioned, withhandwriting or team building or
student mentoring, so they makethem feel comfortable not only
with social and emotional skillsbut also with their learning
and their schoolwork throughoutthe day.
Caleb Ayers (22:42):
That's a cool component of it, that it's not
you know, it's not just thosehere's how the SOL scores
improves, like that's not reallywhat this is about.
That this is more about makingsure that they develop those
here's how the SOL scoresimprove.
That's not really what this isabout.
That this is more about makingsure that they develop those
emotional skills, thehandwriting, those simple things
and, as Dana, as you said inthe beginning, to make sure they
don't fall behind.
In some ways all of that isconnected.
(23:02):
I think to me, what's thecoolest thing about this program
is how it has evolved and Ithink that kind of matches what
the Institute for AdvancedLearning and Research is all
about is that we kind of are wepride ourselves in being able to
adapt and move quickly to meetwhatever need arises in the
region and to see how thisprogram has changed and you know
(23:25):
what partners are involved,what schools we're in, what age
group we're working with, whatthe focus is for those students.
I think it's really cool to seekind of the continued evolution
of this program.
Now we're 10 years in.
What's next?
Are we going to keep goingsteady?
What are we hoping to see outof the Dan River Year AmeriCorps
program going forward.
Dana Silicki (23:45):
So one of the great things is that we, you
know we do have the flexibilityto not keep doing the same thing
just because that's the wayit's been done, because the
program has evolved in topicsand ages.
It really has evolved to meetthe needs of the community.
So, moving forward, hopefullywe will still be able to evolve
to meet the needs of thecommunity and not just do
(24:06):
something because that's the wayit's been done in the past.
And so in the upcoming yearswe're looking at community
health educators, still tutoringat in-school and out-of-school
time and mentorship, also addingin some disaster services so
that our community can beprepared when an emergency
(24:27):
occurs.
Youth mental health is a largeneed that AmeriCorps is focusing
on in the future as well.
So it's great having theopportunity to not be stuck in
one specific area.
I think, as we go on and lookforward to the next 10 years,
hopefully what it looks like 10years from now may be completely
different than what it is now,because we have that flexibility
(24:49):
and hope that we're continuingto meet the needs of the
community so that we can reallyhave that impact not just on the
, the clients and students youknow that we work with, but also
the members, to make meaningfulchange.
Caleb Ayers (25:03):
I mean, I think we could say that for the whole
Institute for Advanced Learningand Research that, yeah, in 10
years, who knows what's going tobe going on here and how
similar it's going to be towhat's going on now?
And that's the point that it'slike it's meant to meet whatever
need is there at that moment, Iguess.
Last thing what are the currentopportunities for someone who
may be interested in thisprogram?
What are the current openingsand opportunities that are
available?
Audia Harris (25:22):
So right now we are recruiting members to serve
with our program for secondsemester.
Of course we're entering intoour winter break, but when we
return we hope to place members.
We have a few slots opencurrently in Pennsylvania County
and that will be GretnaElementary School, mount Airy,
and we have another positionthat's open with Stony Mill.
(25:45):
So those members will serve afive-month contract for the
second semester and then aroundspring we begin recruiting for
summer.
So our summer program is very,very popular.
I will say it's verycompetitive.
We do have a lot of collegestudents that are home for the
summer and they serve a 10-weekcontract here at the Institute
(26:09):
for Advanced Learning andResearch with our summer STEM
camps, and they are very popular.
So we look forward to thatevery year and we're always
impressed because we have a lotof returning members.
So not only do we recruit newmembers that are serving with
the program for their very firsttime, but we have a lot of
AmeriCorps members aftercompleting a term of service.
(26:31):
They are always interested inreturning Again.
Not only do the members receivea stipend, but they receive a
Segal Education Award and thatSegal Education Award can be
used for past student loans thatthey've already accumulated any
future college courses orclasses that they may want to
take.
If the member is enrolled atthe age of 55 or over, they can
(26:54):
actually gift that SegalEducation Award to an immediate
family member, such as a childor grandchild.
So that's one of the perks ofthe program For me.
I earned over $12,000 in SegalEducation Awards that I used to
watch my bachelor's degree.
So you know, those are theslots that we have open for
(27:16):
second semester and then fairlysoon we'll be recruiting for
summer.
But now I'll pass the torch toAdam, because we do have a new
member that will be serving withthis program fairly soon.
Adam Goebel (27:29):
We do and she is an alumni of the program.
She decided she'd like to try alittle different site and she
will be starting in January.
We're looking forward to herand her excitement and her
passion.
Uh, and I think that'ssomething that's cool about the
program.
I mean, let's face it, we won'ttalk about numbers or figures.
But you're not going to getrich serving right.
(27:50):
So it's not about, uh, um,getting rich.
It's more about what you cangive back to your community and
I think that shows in thepassion of the service members
that do take advantage andactually serve throughout the
year.
Uh, but as one starting injanuary.
But we also have another minimumtime position that we're
currently recruiting for uh, andit will be about a it's a 300
(28:13):
hours so be, depending onwhether or not it was spread out
over three months or six months.
It would be a service of, youknow, 15, 17 hours a week give
or take.
They will help with our summercamp.
So we also have a big summercamp program, but we also have a
big need in our creativity labas well as our outdoor butterfly
station.
It's very, very popularthroughout the summer and the
(28:36):
one that starts in January Ithink she's going to be a very
logical fit for it because she'sreal big into plants and botany
and, would you say, hydroponics, hydroponics, which is
something that we haven'tdabbled in in the past.
But hey, this might be thatopen door to kind of see what we
can do and how she can helpincorporate that into some of
the things that we do when itcomes to environmental education
(28:57):
and literacy.
Caleb Ayers (28:57):
Well, that's all the questions I have.
I mean, like I said, I thinkthis is a cool program that kind
of exemplifies what we're allabout here at the Institute for
Advanced Learning and Research,which is meeting whatever needs
are in the region, filling thosegaps and then being willing to
adapt and change as needed.
I think it's a really coolprogram, but is there anything
(29:19):
else that you guys would want toadd or think it's important
that people know?
Dana Silicki (29:22):
We're always looking for new members.
We can work with members onbuilding based on their
interests to their strengths.
A lot of times, members willapply for one specific position
and when we interview them,we're like no, we think you'd be
a better fit in this other oneposition.
And when we interview them,we're like, no, we think you'd
be a better fit in this otherone.
That's one of the beauty of theprogram and that it's not just
(29:42):
about the position itself.
It's about building that member.
So we're always looking forpeople.
Really having that heart forservice is going to tell us more
than what your resume says.
Now there is a high schooldiploma or GED and they must be
a lawful US permanent residentor citizen.
However, the personality andreally that willingness to serve
(30:08):
is really what we're lookingfor in finding positions and
people to fill those positions.
Audia Harris (30:13):
And I'll just add in closing, since we are in our
10th year, we have a goal tofulfill 10 service projects this
year.
So the members are going outeach month to serve in the
community for 10 serviceprojects.
So we're always looking for newpartners as well, new partners
where the members can give backto the community and not only
(30:37):
raise awareness for theAmeriCorps program and national
service but also give back underdifferent capacities.
So each month you will see usout in the community boots on
the ground.
We've partnered with AverittUniversity, we've partnered with
God's Storehouse, god's PitCrew, house of Hope, the
Pennsylvania County Libraries,the Danville Science Center, our
(31:00):
9-11 project we cleaned thetrail behind the Danville
Science Center, the RiverwalkTrail.
So we're always looking for newpartners, new organizations
where the AmeriCorps members cancome and serve, give back to
the community and still raisethat awareness for national
service.
Adam Goebel (31:18):
So anyone that is interested, Adia, what's the
easiest way to apply?
Audia Harris (31:22):
The easiest way to apply.
You can apply on indeedcom andyou can search the Dan River
Year AmeriCorps program.
You can give us a call, you canstop by the Institute, you can
email your resume at AmeriCorps.
At IALRorg, we're alwaysaccepting references.
(31:43):
Again, word of mouth.
Feel free to check out ourFacebook page, Dan River Year.
We have an Instagram page.
Sometimes you may find anopportunity at IALRorg.
We want to shout out BrianStanley.
He's in training today but he'sa part of the puzzle.
He and Dana and myself, we makeup the AmeriCorps team.
(32:05):
So we all fit together.
We have our strengths and wefeed off of each other, but we
work very well together.
So shout out to Brian, but feelfree to check us out on Indeed
AmeriCorps at IALRorg.
Caleb Ayers (32:19):
Awesome.
Well, thank you guys for beinghere today.
I really appreciate.
Welcome to another episode of Inside IALR.
Thanks for joining us today.
I feel like we've had a lot ofanniversaries this year of
programs.
We've obviously, daniel, hadour series about the 20-year
anniversary of this building,the main IALR building.
Today we have anotheranniversary episode.
We are in our 10th year of theDan River Year AmeriCorps
(00:29):
program and that year, meaningSeptember through August, is
when their year runs.
So we are right in the middleof that year.
This program.
We'll get kind of into theweeds of what it is and what it
has been, but basically thisprogram is all about STEM and
literacy for students in lateelementary school and it's an
(00:49):
AmeriCorps program that we runhere.
So we have three guests.
We have Adam Goebel, who is theexecutive director of the
Danville Science Center, whichhas served as one of the host
sites for this program for all10 years it's been here.
We have Dana Salicki, who isthe Director of STEM, lifelong
and Service Learning here at theInstitute for Advanced Learning
and Research.
(01:10):
And we have Audia Harris, whois the Program Coordinator and
does a lot of work with thisAmeriCorps program and also was
a three-time member previously.
So thank you all for being here.
I appreciate it.
Dana Silicki (01:22):
Thank you, thanks for having us.
Caleb Ayers (01:23):
So I guess we'll start big picture, kind of how
let's take it back 10 years, howdid this AmeriCorps program
begin?
And kind of what was thebackstory and what was the
vision from that day one.
Dana Silicki (01:35):
So Julie Brown.
Dr Julie Brown had the idea ofcan we bring AmeriCorps here?
She heard about AmeriCorps.
There had been past AmeriCorpsprograms, I believe previously
with the Institute, and soAmeriCorps is kind of like a
civilian Peace Corps and soabout giving back to the
community, helping the community.
(01:56):
So it feeds right into ourmission of economic
transformation and helpingothers in our community, and so
one of the needs of thecommunity is that we are behind
some other areas in our STEM andso science, technology,
engineering and math, and so wewanted a way to partner with
other organizations to try toclose that gap in STEM, to make
(02:19):
our area more competitive in theeconomy and also have higher
skills as well.
So starting with that STEMfocus, which again feeds right
into what we work on in AdvancedLearning Department at the
Institute, was a good way tobring some members to the area,
some service and serve ourcommunity.
Caleb Ayers (02:41):
And just to bring it a little bit bigger what is
AmeriCorps?
Dana Silicki (02:48):
So AmeriCorps is a national service opportunity,
and so it is a way that you cangive back to the community while
serving your community.
It's considered nationalservice so it can give you a leg
up when you go to apply forjobs.
It's a way that you can buildyour skills and your resume
while maybe you're looking for acareer change, maybe you're
just looking for a gap year,maybe you're looking to give
(03:11):
back to your community in ameaningful way.
So it's a way that members canhelp serve the community here
locally.
It is a national program.
Our program services here inVirginia, but each AmeriCorps
program is slightly different.
Caleb Ayers (03:25):
You know you're talking about that focus on STEM
.
That was, you know, very muchthe focus in the beginning and I
know still is a big part ofwhat you all do Talk about.
And I mean this is for all ofyou talk a little bit about how
you've seen the program changeover the years, because I know
there's been things that havebeen added on to that to help
enhance, I guess, the focus ofthis program.
Dana Silicki (03:50):
In the beginning we did have that STEM focus and
we had a broad range of agesthat we worked with because
anybody can learn STEM, anybodycan enhance their skills in that
area.
So a lot of our partners, youknow, ranged from youth all the
way up to adults in that science, technology, engineering and
math.
Over time our partner sites andalso data for our community is
saying, you know, literacy isalso a need that we have.
And so because some of oursites are saying it's great, the
(04:14):
STEM and there is a need forthat, but with the students,
especially if they can't readthe math problem, they can't do
the math problem.
So we did add literacy in thereas a focus area, as a means to
get to some of our audience.
You can still teach and help inthe STEM areas through literacy
as well.
It's kind of all-encompassing.
(04:35):
Our ages have changed a littlebit.
We did partner with severalorganizations in the beginning
which serviced adults at thecommunity college and Averitt
Goodwill and things of thatnature.
But we wanted to really buildstrong and get really good at
what we're doing.
Instead of having a broaderarea, we kind of honed it down a
(04:57):
little bit.
We in the schools we're workingmore with middle schools in the
beginning.
In the schools we're workingmore with middle schools in the
beginning.
But as our partner sites havesaid and what we've seen is some
of that gap, the earlier youcatch the students, the better
to close that gap.
So we've now shifted toelementary for most of ours.
We do still have some middleschool students we work with at
(05:22):
some of our partner sites thatare after school and out of
school time as well, butshifting to a little bit lower
age group to catch them, whilestudents are still kind of
learning to read so that theycan read to learn later as well.
Caleb Ayers (05:36):
With that shift.
Tell me a little bit about kindof the logistics of the program
as a whole.
Now I mean Dana, you justmentioned that it's in.
I mean primarily focusing onfourth and fifth grade for
literacy and STEM skills.
But talk to me a little bitabout the logistics of the
program.
Where are these members comingfrom?
Where are they going?
You know how does that work.
Audia Harris (05:57):
We recruit AmeriCorps members.
We use Indeed as our majorplatform.
We also are open to references.
We go out and we do a lot ofcommunity engagement to recruit
AmeriCorps members.
But we have members that arefresh out of high school.
They've never had, you know,their first job.
(06:18):
Although this is a nationalservice opportunity, it kind of
gives them that work experience.
We have retired teachers.
That's a group that we love torecruit because they have that
background in education and orearly childhood education.
Career switchers we have someof our members you know they
(06:40):
were interested in this careerbut they're like hey, I'm
thinking about education ornonprofits, so this is a way
that they could serve with ourprogram to see you know, hey, is
this for me or is it not for me?
So our recruitment pool is verylarge.
We we serve as Danville,pennsylvania County, so we do
(07:00):
try to recruit members in thecity, also in rural areas, while
still recognizing those needsin the community.
Adam Goebel (07:08):
I'd like to add on to that as well, caleb, if you
don't mind.
Like you said earlier, we'vebeen a host site since the
AmeriCorps program's inceptionhere in Danville and as far as
the quality of the members thathave served there, we've had a
dozen almost 20 differentmembers throughout our 10-year
partnership with the program.
But the diversity of theservice members is what I find
(07:30):
intriguing and fascinating.
You know, adia said you've gotthem coming straight out of high
school all the way throughretired teachers, and our
experience reflects that as well.
Each time these individualsbring different skill sets,
different experiences, differentwants, needs, desires is what
they want to get out of theprogram.
So I think that's a realfeather in the cap to their
(07:51):
recruiting efforts.
Caleb Ayers (07:54):
And yeah, no, I do think that's to have something
where you can recruit for thesame position, that you're
recruiting someone straight outof high school and a recent
retiree into the same thing.
That's not many things likethat.
So I guess, talk about let'stalk a little bit about at these
sites, both in schools I knowwe're working in the elementary
(08:15):
schools in Pennsylvania County,danville, and then, you know,
obviously at the DanvilleScience Center and there are
other after-school off-siteprograms as well, kind of what
are the tutors doing?
What are the AmeriCorps membersdoing with the students, what
are the activities like?
What's kind of theon-the-ground feel of this
program?
Adam Goebel (08:34):
Obviously, our operation organization is a
little bit different than aformal school system, right?
So we have almost 20,000 squarefoot of interactive public
exhibit space, we have a scienceon the sphere, we have a
creativity lab JT Mini Mall,charitable Trust Creativity Lab
so we have a lot of differentoptions, if you will, for the
members that serve at our site.
Obviously, our mission is toinspire our visitors to enrich
(08:58):
their lives through science.
So it definitely fits in withthe STEM focus of the Dan River
Year AmeriCorps program.
But, depending on the member,they bring a different and
unique skill set that we can Aeither build upon or B if
there's something that theywould like to work on during
their time while they're there,we can have them.
(09:18):
You know, even simple stufflike soft interpersonal skills,
public speaking in front of adiverse audience.
You know that's not somethingthat's normally taught in a
formal school system, but youhave the options to have those
experiences when you serve atthe Science Center.
Americorps members help us inour creativity lab where we do
critical thinking, problemsolving kind of challenges
(09:39):
throughout the day.
They sometimes are helping withgroups or Boy Scout camps in
our facilities and within ourgalleries.
We had an AmeriCorps memberthat had a background in botany
and really liked outdoors, andwe found her as a very good fit
in our seasonal butterflystation where she was able to
parlay those skills andbackground and experience in
(10:04):
botany and plants and help toeducate and inspire kids as they
came through the butterflystation, learn about habitats
and pollinators and so on and soforth.
So ours is a little bitdifferent.
It's not like a cookie-cutterapproach.
Every AmeriCorps member does thesame thing.
What we like to do is we liketo find where the strengths and
the weaknesses of each of theindividual members because they
do come from such a diverseaudience and background right,
(10:27):
and how can we match the needsof our programs and services
with the skills and thestrengths of the AmeriCorps
members.
But also there's the other sidewhere it's not all about what
can they do for us, it's whatcan we as a host site do for
them.
So there's that personaldevelopment aspect, to where, if
(10:48):
there is something that theywant to work on, if there is a
skill set or a specific interestthat they have and they've
never really had the opportunityto kind of dive into, if we can
provide that experience, thenwe do the best we can to try to
match what they would like toget out of the program and also
what we get out of the program,but how we can also help them
(11:10):
develop both personally andprofessionally throughout their
role as they serve.
Caleb Ayers (11:13):
Right, as you were talking, it just kind of clicked
in my brain that, and I thinkwith ATDM, I remember one time
our former director was callingit a win-win-win program and I
just heard, as you were sayingthat, that this is beneficial
for the students who are comingand or the people who are coming
and experiencing this, and forthe members who are getting
these skills and gaining workexperience or getting to
(11:34):
contribute back to the community.
I mean both of those thingsgetting, you know, gaining
skills and contributing back.
Adam Goebel (11:38):
And then for the sites, right for you know, the
danville science center, theschool divisions or, um,
whichever, whichever sitethey're at, that this is, this
is beneficial for all it helpsus increase our capacity and
what we can do to the peoplethat we serve within the
community right, we're verysmall staffed, so whenever we
can do to the people that weserve within the community right
, we're very small staffed sowhenever we can have assistance
(11:58):
and be able to add not onlyquantity but also quality of the
experiences that we can offer,that's where the AmeriCorps
program has really reallystepped in.
Caleb Ayers (12:07):
In the schools.
What does it look?
I know because, yeah, whatyou're saying at the science
center is very different thanwhat's happening in the schools.
Dana Silicki (12:17):
So in the schools is different for each school a
little bit, but you know themain outline is the members are
paired with a couple of teachers, generally in those STEM or
English classrooms, and they'reworking with students who have
been identified as needing someextra assistance.
So a lot of times the memberswill be there in the classroom
(12:39):
hearing what and how the teacherteaches, because it's changed a
little bit for some of us thathave been out of school for a
while and so that they can seesome of that content.
But a lot of students, you knowif you have a classroom full of
students, they have differentlearning styles, they have
different abilities and levelsof prior knowledge that it's
really hard for the teacher toidentify and meet all of those
(13:01):
needs at a time.
So students that have beenidentified as needing extra
assistance, the member can stepin and pull those students
sometimes it's in the back ofthe classroom, sometimes it's in
a completely separate area insmall groups and one-on-one, and
further enhance what theteacher is doing.
So they're not reinventing thewheel of what the teacher is
(13:23):
teaching, but having thatone-on-one and small group
intervention proves beneficialto the students in one, getting
a little bit more attention andalso there's a mentorship aspect
that comes in there too, whichstudies have shown when they
have those trusted individualsand that time to really build
that bond, working on thosehelps students succeed as well.
So they get that extraopportunity to have a little bit
(13:45):
more one-on-one time to furtherexpand any questions they have
or things that they might havemissed, or have the information
given to them in a little bitdifferent way because we all
learn differently while alsofeeling that they are definitely
included and have a voice tohelp them and answer any
(14:08):
questions that they have to makesure that their needs are being
met as well.
Caleb Ayers (14:11):
Adia, I think you have a unique perspective as
someone who has both served as amember and now helps to manage
the program.
So tell us a little bit fromyour experience, kind of what is
it like and I know it haschanged because, as we're
talking about, the program haschanged some, but what is it
like serving as an AmeriCorpsmember and then kind of, how did
that experience help you goingforward in your career?
Audia Harris (14:34):
I believe I was in the first cohort in 2015.
At that time we had full-timeservice positions, so I was a
full-time member serving 1,700hours.
My service site was the STEMAcademy and the Regional
Alternative School located inPennsylvania County.
My site supervisor was DeborahPowell.
(14:54):
She's retired now, but it wasvery rewarding for me.
I completed three service yearswith the Dan River Year Program
.
I've always had a love forstudents and education.
My background was in earlychildhood or early child care,
but I ran across the post onIndeed and the thing that stood
(15:15):
out to me was working withstudents in STEM science,
technology, engineering and math.
So being there, as Adammentioned, gaining that
professional development.
I was able to work withstudents, teachers,
administrators, network,recognize some of those student
needs In 2015,.
(15:36):
I served from 2015 to 2018, andmentoring was a big part of the
program then.
So not only were we tutoring,the members were also mentoring
and building that rapport andthose relationships with the
students.
As an alumni, I feel like it'shelped me as a program
coordinator today because I'vebeen in the position or in the
(16:00):
shoes of the members so I canrelate to them firsthand.
I know what it's like to go toyour site.
I know what it's like whenyou're trying to get those
service hours in.
I know what it's like when weare providing trainings and
different opportunities.
So it's really afforded me agreat experience to know that I
was a member.
(16:20):
I served in the community,giving back, earning that
program and professionaldevelopment.
The theme at the RegionalAlternative School was Diamonds
in the Rough and I feel likethat we were polished.
It polished me for the nextstep, for my career path.
Caleb Ayers (16:36):
And obviously now you work here, so that's good
and I love it.
Adam Goebel (16:40):
I've got something I would like to add to that too,
just a unique experience fromthe Science Center's perspective
.
You know Audia started off as aservice member, obviously
enjoyed it, did well and washired on as a program
coordinator later on to helpfacilitate the program.
We've had, like I mentionedearlier I was trying to count
back it's at least 15, if not 17AmeriCorps members throughout
(17:03):
the decade that we've been avery gracious partner to the
program.
But of those we've actually inturn we've had several that have
served multiple terms overmultiple years.
But we've also in turn hired,been able to bring on four of
those AmeriCorps members overthe course of the 10 years to
become employed at the DanvilleScience Center.
So it's not only about theexperience but also, I think
(17:25):
there's some good networking.
You get to learn opportunities,you get to meet different
people and it kind of helps youget your foot in the door.
Opportunities you get to meetdifferent people and it kind of
helps you get your foot in thedoor, as in the case of the four
AmeriCorps members that havegone on to serve as an employee
of the Science Center once theyfinish their service year.
So I think that's an indicatorthat the program is working.
Caleb Ayers (17:44):
Dana, do you want to talk to that too, because I
know there's a lot of those kindof success stories of, yeah,
people serving in the programand then going on either to work
with the organization that theyserved at or just in general
going on to do cool things.
Dana Silicki (17:56):
Being in our 10th year, it's been great seeing
some of our past members,especially in the path that
they've taken since theirAmeriCorps service.
Their AmeriCorps service, likeAdam said and he does a great
job at his site of what they doin their service is tailored a
little bit different for everymember, because everybody's in a
different point in their life,looking for different skills.
(18:17):
So, being able to see membersthat were able to build on
skills that they already had orlearn new skills, it's been neat
seeing how some, with thatnetworking and experience, have
been able to get jobs at theirsite or at similar sites due to
the experience that theyacquired.
We just had one of our 2017members was just teacher of the
(18:39):
year at the school that he worksat, and I remember he was one
of our summer members.
You know, just starting out, hewasn't quite sure if he wanted
to go into teaching, and sowe've had a lot of stories of
because this is, you know, juststarting out.
He wasn't quite sure if hewanted to go into teaching, and
so we've had a lot of stories ofbecause this is, you know, a
year of service.
Now the year of service couldbe three months to 12 months,
depending on your contractlength.
But it's a little bit less of acommitment than a full-time job
(19:03):
jumping straight in and it's alittle bit easier to get into
because there's not quite allthe qualifications that you
would need to be, say, if you'reinterested in going to teaching
.
So it's a great way to see isthis a good fit, before you
invest in that full degree andlicense and things, and so
that's been a really great thing.
For some members they said, yes,this is what I want to do.
(19:24):
It is reinforce what they want.
For some members they said, oh,this is not for me.
I'm glad I had this experiencebefore.
I did fully invest in that andrealized it's not what I want.
So one of the great thingsabout AmeriCorps is having that
opportunity, because it's hardfor any of us to know exactly
what you want to do if youhaven't gotten your feet wet in
that field yet.
(19:45):
So we've seen a lot of successstories of you know members
going on remaining in the field.
We've seen still success ifthey realize this is not what I
want to do and maybe it'sintroduced them to other
opportunities as well.
Caleb Ayers (19:58):
As Adam, as you and Dana were talking about that, I
was just thinking how similarthis is to an internship and the
way that you know, a lot oftimes you see interns go on to
work for the company thatthey're at.
And that same idea withinternships that you, you want
them to either figure out theylike that thing or that they
don't, and that's.
That's cool to hear that justyeah, you guys break that down
like that.
What kind of success and impactdoes this program have on the
(20:19):
students that we work with?
Like is there a eitheranecdotally or tangibly um like
with with the numbers?
Are there ways to break downlike what?
What kind of impact is thishaving with the students who are
involved?
Audia Harris (20:29):
So the students not only receive extra services
or tutoring in the classroom butthey also build those
relationships and rapport withthe AmeriCorps members.
And although we monitor testscores and you know social
emotional learning things likethat scores and you know
social-emotional learning thingslike that is some of the small
things that count We've hadstudents that are struggling
(20:53):
with handwriting and becausethey're working one-on-one with
our AmeriCorps member, we've hadsuccess stories where the
parents are coming back like,hey, my child's handwriting has
improved.
You know they said that theyhad an AmeriCorps member working
with them in the classroom andlook how proud you know that the
students are when they'rewriting and it's you know they
(21:16):
can read it and the AmeriCorpsmembers can make out what
they're trying to say.
You know doing their tests andthings like that.
So we've had those stories.
I think the members.
It's very rewarding for themembers because they see where
the students are when they beginserving with them on day one,
the first day of school, whenthey're meeting a total stranger
(21:39):
right, they've never seen thisperson and they're like hi, my
name is such and such, I'm withthe AmeriCorps program, I'm here
to help you.
And students can be kind oftimid at first.
But around this time, as weclose out first semester, the
students are like, hey, you know, I can't wait to see you after
Christmas.
(22:00):
Or you weren't here yesterday,where were you at, you know?
Because they may have had adoctor's appointment or
something like that.
So the students really lookforward to the AmeriCorps
members serving in the classroom.
They're serving as an extra setof eyes, an extra set of hands,
and sometimes the students arefearful to raise their hand and
answer a question or speak infront of the classroom.
(22:22):
But the AmeriCorps members alsobuild their confidence, just
like I mentioned, withhandwriting or team building or
student mentoring, so they makethem feel comfortable not only
with social and emotional skillsbut also with their learning
and their schoolwork throughoutthe day.
Caleb Ayers (22:42):
That's a cool component of it, that it's not
you know, it's not just thosehere's how the SOL scores
improves, like that's not reallywhat this is about.
That this is more about makingsure that they develop those
here's how the SOL scoresimprove.
That's not really what this isabout.
That this is more about makingsure that they develop those
emotional skills, thehandwriting, those simple things
and, as Dana, as you said inthe beginning, to make sure they
don't fall behind.
In some ways all of that isconnected.
(23:02):
I think to me, what's thecoolest thing about this program
is how it has evolved and Ithink that kind of matches what
the Institute for AdvancedLearning and Research is all
about is that we kind of are wepride ourselves in being able to
adapt and move quickly to meetwhatever need arises in the
region and to see how thisprogram has changed and you know
(23:25):
what partners are involved,what schools we're in, what age
group we're working with, whatthe focus is for those students.
I think it's really cool to seekind of the continued evolution
of this program.
Now we're 10 years in.
What's next?
Are we going to keep goingsteady?
What are we hoping to see outof the Dan River Year AmeriCorps
program going forward.
Dana Silicki (23:45):
So one of the great things is that we, you
know we do have the flexibilityto not keep doing the same thing
just because that's the wayit's been done, because the
program has evolved in topicsand ages.
It really has evolved to meetthe needs of the community.
So, moving forward, hopefullywe will still be able to evolve
to meet the needs of thecommunity and not just do
(24:06):
something because that's the wayit's been done in the past.
And so in the upcoming yearswe're looking at community
health educators, still tutoringat in-school and out-of-school
time and mentorship, also addingin some disaster services so
that our community can beprepared when an emergency
(24:27):
occurs.
Youth mental health is a largeneed that AmeriCorps is focusing
on in the future as well.
So it's great having theopportunity to not be stuck in
one specific area.
I think, as we go on and lookforward to the next 10 years,
hopefully what it looks like 10years from now may be completely
different than what it is now,because we have that flexibility
(24:49):
and hope that we're continuingto meet the needs of the
community so that we can reallyhave that impact not just on the
, the clients and students youknow that we work with, but also
the members, to make meaningfulchange.
Caleb Ayers (25:03):
I mean, I think we could say that for the whole
Institute for Advanced Learningand Research that, yeah, in 10
years, who knows what's going tobe going on here and how
similar it's going to be towhat's going on now?
And that's the point that it'slike it's meant to meet whatever
need is there at that moment, Iguess.
Last thing what are the currentopportunities for someone who
may be interested in thisprogram?
What are the current openingsand opportunities that are
available?
Audia Harris (25:22):
So right now we are recruiting members to serve
with our program for secondsemester.
Of course we're entering intoour winter break, but when we
return we hope to place members.
We have a few slots opencurrently in Pennsylvania County
and that will be GretnaElementary School, mount Airy,
and we have another positionthat's open with Stony Mill.
(25:45):
So those members will serve afive-month contract for the
second semester and then aroundspring we begin recruiting for
summer.
So our summer program is very,very popular.
I will say it's verycompetitive.
We do have a lot of collegestudents that are home for the
summer and they serve a 10-weekcontract here at the Institute
(26:09):
for Advanced Learning andResearch with our summer STEM
camps, and they are very popular.
So we look forward to thatevery year and we're always
impressed because we have a lotof returning members.
So not only do we recruit newmembers that are serving with
the program for their very firsttime, but we have a lot of
AmeriCorps members aftercompleting a term of service.
(26:31):
They are always interested inreturning Again.
Not only do the members receivea stipend, but they receive a
Segal Education Award and thatSegal Education Award can be
used for past student loans thatthey've already accumulated any
future college courses orclasses that they may want to
take.
If the member is enrolled atthe age of 55 or over, they can
(26:54):
actually gift that SegalEducation Award to an immediate
family member, such as a childor grandchild.
So that's one of the perks ofthe program For me.
I earned over $12,000 in SegalEducation Awards that I used to
watch my bachelor's degree.
So you know, those are theslots that we have open for
(27:16):
second semester and then fairlysoon we'll be recruiting for
summer.
But now I'll pass the torch toAdam, because we do have a new
member that will be serving withthis program fairly soon.
Adam Goebel (27:29):
We do and she is an alumni of the program.
She decided she'd like to try alittle different site and she
will be starting in January.
We're looking forward to herand her excitement and her
passion.
Uh, and I think that'ssomething that's cool about the
program.
I mean, let's face it, we won'ttalk about numbers or figures.
But you're not going to getrich serving right.
(27:50):
So it's not about, uh, um,getting rich.
It's more about what you cangive back to your community and
I think that shows in thepassion of the service members
that do take advantage andactually serve throughout the
year.
Uh, but as one starting injanuary.
But we also have another minimumtime position that we're
currently recruiting for uh, andit will be about a it's a 300
(28:13):
hours so be, depending onwhether or not it was spread out
over three months or six months.
It would be a service of, youknow, 15, 17 hours a week give
or take.
They will help with our summercamp.
So we also have a big summercamp program, but we also have a
big need in our creativity labas well as our outdoor butterfly
station.
It's very, very popularthroughout the summer and the
(28:36):
one that starts in January Ithink she's going to be a very
logical fit for it because she'sreal big into plants and botany
and, would you say, hydroponics, hydroponics, which is
something that we haven'tdabbled in in the past.
But hey, this might be thatopen door to kind of see what we
can do and how she can helpincorporate that into some of
the things that we do when itcomes to environmental education
(28:57):
and literacy.
Caleb Ayers (28:57):
Well, that's all the questions I have.
I mean, like I said, I thinkthis is a cool program that kind
of exemplifies what we're allabout here at the Institute for
Advanced Learning and Research,which is meeting whatever needs
are in the region, filling thosegaps and then being willing to
adapt and change as needed.
I think it's a really coolprogram, but is there anything
(29:19):
else that you guys would want toadd or think it's important
that people know?
Dana Silicki (29:22):
We're always looking for new members.
We can work with members onbuilding based on their
interests to their strengths.
A lot of times, members willapply for one specific position
and when we interview them,we're like no, we think you'd be
a better fit in this other oneposition.
And when we interview them,we're like, no, we think you'd
be a better fit in this otherone.
That's one of the beauty of theprogram and that it's not just
(29:42):
about the position itself.
It's about building that member.
So we're always looking forpeople.
Really having that heart forservice is going to tell us more
than what your resume says.
Now there is a high schooldiploma or GED and they must be
a lawful US permanent residentor citizen.
However, the personality andreally that willingness to serve
(30:08):
is really what we're lookingfor in finding positions and
people to fill those positions.
Audia Harris (30:13):
And I'll just add in closing, since we are in our
10th year, we have a goal tofulfill 10 service projects this
year.
So the members are going outeach month to serve in the
community for 10 serviceprojects.
So we're always looking for newpartners as well, new partners
where the members can give backto the community and not only
(30:37):
raise awareness for theAmeriCorps program and national
service but also give back underdifferent capacities.
So each month you will see usout in the community boots on
the ground.
We've partnered with AverittUniversity, we've partnered with
God's Storehouse, god's PitCrew, house of Hope, the
Pennsylvania County Libraries,the Danville Science Center, our
(31:00):
9-11 project we cleaned thetrail behind the Danville
Science Center, the RiverwalkTrail.
So we're always looking for newpartners, new organizations
where the AmeriCorps members cancome and serve, give back to
the community and still raisethat awareness for national
service.
Adam Goebel (31:18):
So anyone that is interested, Adia, what's the
easiest way to apply?
Audia Harris (31:22):
The easiest way to apply.
You can apply on indeedcom andyou can search the Dan River
Year AmeriCorps program.
You can give us a call, you canstop by the Institute, you can
email your resume at AmeriCorps.
At IALRorg, we're alwaysaccepting references.
(31:43):
Again, word of mouth.
Feel free to check out ourFacebook page, Dan River Year.
We have an Instagram page.
Sometimes you may find anopportunity at IALRorg.
We want to shout out BrianStanley.
He's in training today but he'sa part of the puzzle.
He and Dana and myself, we makeup the AmeriCorps team.
(32:05):
So we all fit together.
We have our strengths and wefeed off of each other, but we
work very well together.
So shout out to Brian, but feelfree to check us out on Indeed
AmeriCorps at IALRorg.
Caleb Ayers (32:19):
Awesome.
Well, thank you guys for beinghere today.
I really appreciate.
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