AmeriCorps members serve Sussex County Habitat for Humanity in vital roles on our construction and repairs sites, in family empowerment and resource development, and at the Georgetown and Lewes ReStores.  On September 1, we welcomed our new AmeriCorps cohort of 20 members who will work hand-in-hand with Habitat staff, volunteers, and partner families.  Orientation, training, and service comprise their first weeks with Sussex Habitat 

 

One particularly special tradition for our AmeriCorps members comes on September 11th each year-the 9/11 National Day of Service which began in 2002, one year after the terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.  This year, AmeriCorps members from Sussex County Habitat and Ministry of Caring in New Castle County met together at the Ministry of Caring distribution center where homeless and low-income residents of New Castle County to receive donated living supplies.  Working in three teams, the AmeriCorps members organized and inventoried donations.   One team worked in the large donation area sorting furniture and blankets. Another team organized personal products including shampoo, soap, tissues, and tooth brushes along with socks, gloves, hats, and other cold weather items. In an assembly line, the third group put together packages for distribution to visitors at the center and out in the streets to homeless people. 

 

AmeriCorps member Kasey Cushing from New Hampshire is assigned to Sussex County Habitat's Family Empowerment Department.  Kasey commented, "It was a really interesting day experiencing another area of service, and seeing how little things like hotel shampoo samples can make someone's month.  That impacted me."  On October 28, Make a Difference Day will bring together AmeriCorps members from all three Delaware counties for a day of service.