Volunteer Spotlight Mayor Harp Recognizes Impact of National Service and Reflects on Her Own Journey On Tuesday, April 7th, Mayor Harp met with AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers at Teach for America's offices to thank them for their service and have a conversation about the issues that face New Haven-and how national service can help. She was joining joined more than 3,000 mayors across the country for the third annual Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service, a nationwide bipartisan effort to highlight the impact of national service in tackling city problems. There are over 700 AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers serving at schools and nonprofits throughout New Haven every year, representing an investment of over $3 million. In addition to speaking about the impact of national service on New Haven, the Mayor also shared how her own experience serving as a VISTA in the city helped her jumpstart a career of service to Connecticut and encouraged New Haven residents to take her lead. "So much of what she said about developing contacts in the community and being open to new ideas when addressing community needs ring true for me as a current VISTA" said Rebecca Burwell a VISTA serving with PAVE New Haven, a program of the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, at Lincoln Bassett School. Volunteers representing all of the AASCC's national service programs were present to hear Harp speak, including Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, RSVP, VISTA, and AARP Experience Corps. Every year, these programs engage over 400 volunteers who serve throughout the community to to help children, veterans, and their older adult peers. As President and CEO of the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, Ted Surh states, "Volunteering is one of the best ways for older adults to stay healthy, allowing them to share their skills and experience while helping address some of our communities' greatest needs." Find out about Volunteering through AASCC and the National Service Corps. |