Last Friday, 5 Past and Present AmeriCorps Volunteers visited Rep. Maurice Hinchey's (D-22) office in Kingston, NY. Given that Rep Hinchey has been a strong supporter of Service in the past - supporting the Serve America Act, and voting against HR 1 - our goal today was to tell his representative our stories. In our group were two AmeriCorps Alums, who served with NCCC, and three current Community Health Corps members* serving with the Institute for Family Health in Kingston, NY.
Our stories told of what we have done for our communities: of diabetes education provided, low-cost prescription medications found, breastfeeding support given to new moms, homes built and case management done during one of our greatest national tragedies. Our stories, more importantly, told of what AmeriCorps has done for us: given us direction and experience, given us hope and a committement to working with underserved populations. We cannot imagine a country in which future generations are not given these opportunities, and in which future leaders are not able to be shaped through service to their communities.
Rep Hinchey's District Represenative, Lori DuBord, who we met with, was extremely supportive, and told us how grateful she was, both for our service, and also for the letters of support that we brought with us. She encouraged us to send in more, so that Rep. Hinchey has something tangible to present to Congress.
(*Members attended the visit on their own time.)
(In Photo from left to right: District Rep Lori DuBord from Rep Hinchey's office; Kate (former NCC); Emmy (Current Community Health Corps- CHC); Shalyni (current CHC); Miriam(Current CHC); Adrienne (kneeling with her daughter, former NCC)
**If you have the chance, please call, write, or visit your local legislator to let them know how important National Service is!!**
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