INA, Ill. – The week of March 11-17 is designated as a week to recognize volunteers in the AmeriCorps program throughout the state, but Rend Lake College members didn’t take that to mean they got the week off. RLC’s Land of Lincoln AmeriCorps students came to campus during Spring Break to volunteer and serve others in preparation for one of their biggest events every year: April’s Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.
RLC AmeriCorps students spend much of their time working in the community, specifically to provide literacy tutoring for pre-K through grade 8 students in local schools. There are approximately 60 AmeriCorps members at RLC. Megan Rounds, AmeriCorps Director, said these members go above and beyond all year – not just this week – to volunteer in the 14 counties covered by the Land of Lincoln AmeriCorps.
“Our AmeriCorps students did a wonderful job this week,” said Rounds. “AmeriCorps Week is important because it gives us a chance to pat ourselves on the back for all the good work done for our communities.”
Below are images from the past week of RLC AmeriCorps members on campus.
AmeriCorps students assembled blue pinwheels to bring awareness to child abuse prevention month in April. They are, FROM LEFT, Emily Darnell (Benton), Elizabeth Bishop (Walnut Hill), Zach Brookman (Opdyke), Savannah Estes (Mt. Vernon), Shelby Mitchell (Woodlawn), Falisha Biggerstaff (McLeansboro), Allie Sledge (Mt. Vernon), Brooke Lacey (Mt. Vernon), Skylyn Simpson (Sesser), and Melina Launay (Mt. Vernon).
(RLC Public Information)
The pinwheels created by AmeriCorps members will be placed on the lawn of the Jefferson County Courthouse in coming weeks. Here they are creating and packing the pinwheels. Pictured is, FROM LEFT, Zach Brookman (Opdyke), Savannah Estes (Mt. Vernon), and Allie Sledge (Mt. Vernon).
(RLC Public Information)
Land of Lincoln AmeriCorps members repainted the wooden blue children for the Jefferson County Child Abuse Prevention Month Committee earlier this month. Members will be placing the children in front of businesses in Jefferson County to bring awareness to child abuse in the area.
(RLC Public Information)
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner proclaimed the week of March 11-17 as AmeriCorps Week across the state. This week celebrates the service that tens of thousands of students perform through the AmeriCorps program.
Governor Rauner said in a press release about the week, “Each year, thousands of AmeriCorps members in Illinois take time out of their busy lives to help their neighbors. These volunteers work to keep children safe, the environment clean, help people find jobs, and much more. AmeriCorps Week in Illinois reminds us to thank AmeriCorps members and alums for their service, to thank AmeriCorps’ community partners, and encourage more people to join in service.”
Across the state, AmeriCorps members dedicate one year to help communities meet unmet economic, education, health, public safety, and environmental needs. For information about the RLC AmeriCorps program or to complete an application, contact Megan Rounds at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1351 or roundsm@rlc.edu.
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