Events

	Click here for the Voices for AmeriCorps flyer.
	Read Press from Voices for AmeriCorps 1, 2.

On February 8, 2006, AmeriCorps members, program staff, Congressional champions, and experts on AmeriCorps impact gathered on Capitol Hill (10:00 am - 4:00 PM, Russell Senate Caucus Room) to discuss the role of AmeriCorps programs in responding to disasters and meeting community needs. Throughout the day, two panels of experts discussed recent findings on the impact and role of AmeriCorps, exemplary AmeriCorps members were honored, and Members of Congress spoke about the promise and impact of AmeriCorps.

• Panel Discussions
• Honoring Exemplary AmeriCorps Members
• Congressional Leaders Celebrate National Service

Special thanks:

• Thanks to Honorary Host Committee
• Thanks to Sponsoring Organizations
• Thanks to Organizing Committee

Evidence of AmeriCorps Impact:
Developing Civic Literacy and Meeting Community Needs

This panel featured presentations from seven independent researchers and academics. Click on the panelists below to read the results of their national service evaluations:

• Peter Benson, Search Institute (moderator)

• Shelley Billig, RMC Research Corporation

• Steve Glazerman, Mathematica

• Joann Jastrzab, Abt Associates

• Dr. Erwin Tan, Johns Hopkins

• Dr. Erwin Tan, Johns Hopkins

• Leslie Anderson, Policy Studies Associates

• Jim Youniss, Catholic University

Responding to Hurricane Katrina:
The Role of AmeriCorps in Disaster Relief and Recovery

This panel focused on the impact and role of AmeriCorps programs in providing support for Gulf Coast relief and reconstruction efforts. Each panelist reflected on the contributions of their own program or organization in the wake of the recent hurricanes.

• Jennifer Eplett Reilly, The Baton Rouge Foundation (moderator)

• David Eisner, Corporation for National and Community Service

• Marsha Meeks Kelly, Mississippi Commission on Volunteer Service

• Bruce Bailey, St. Louis Partners' Safety Service Corps

• Rob Spath, Washington Conservation Corps

• Pam Davis, Louisiana Serve Commission

• Patrick Morris, Hands On Miami

Event Photos

Peter Benson, Search Institute, moderates the morning panel discussion, "Evidence of AmeriCorps Impact: Developing Civic Literacy and Meeting Community Needs		Joann Jastrzab, Abt Associates		Bruce Bailey, St. Louis Partners' Safety Service Corps
Shelley Billig, RMC Research Corporation, presents her research at Voices for AmeriCorps		Steve Glazerman, Mathematica, presents his research at Voices for AmeriCorps		Jennifer Eplett Reilly, Baton Rouge Foundation, moderates the afternoon panel discussion, "Responding to Hurricane Katrina: The Role of AmeriCorps in Disaster Relief and Recovery" and is joined at the microphone by Marsha Meeks Kelly, Mississippi Commission on Volunteer Service
Leslie Anderson, Policy Studies Associates		Erwin Tan, Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health		David Eisner, Corporation for National and Community Service
Rob Spath, Washington Conservation Corps		Patrick Morris, Hands On Miami and Volunteer Florida		Pam Davis, Louisiana Serve Commission
Jim Youniss, Catholic University

Photos by Pepe Gomez
ImageLink Photography

AmeriCorps members and alumni from across the nation were honored for their dedicated service to our nation. Click on the honoree below for their personal testimony:

• Thaddeus Claiborne, Jumpstart

• Katherine Clements, Jumpstart

• Peter Dieser, Washington Conservation Corps

• Greg Heinrich, AmeriCorps Alums

• Patricia Jarnot, West Seneca AmeriCorps Emergency Response Team

• Devin Montgomery, Habitat for Humanity

• Peter Ostroske, AmeriCorps* NCCC

• Patrice Pennington, Public Allies

• Amanda Reese, AmeriCorps* NCCC (posthumously)

• Adam Rose, St. Louis Emergency Response Team

• Carrie Smith, West Seneca AmeriCorps Response Team

• Kristina Smith, City Year Louisiana

• Neale Smith, Habitat for Humanity

• Pete Salazar, US Veterans Initiative

• Kimberly Walker, on behalf of the entire Mississippi HealthCorps

• Adam Zachary, St. Louis Emergency Response Team

Event Photos

Representative David Price (D-NC) presents awards to Katherine Clements, Jumpstart for Young Children, Thaddeus Claiborne, Jumpstart for Young Children, Patrice Pennington, Public Allies, and Kristina Smith, City Year, from left to right.		Adam Zachary, St. Louis Emergency Response Team		Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton presents Patricia Jarnot and Carrie Smith (left to right), West Seneca AmeriCorps Response Team, with their awards
Devin Montgomery, Habitat for Humanity		Neale Smith, Habitat for Humanity, accepts his award from Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)		Peter Dieser, Washington Conservation Corps
Greg Heinrich, AmeriCorps Alums		Pete Salazar, U.S.VETS		Peter Ostroske, AmeriCorps*NCCC, accepts his award from Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
James and Carol Reese accept an award honoring the life and service of their daughter, Amanda Reese, from Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)

Photos by Pepe Gomez
ImageLink Photography

Members of Congress Attendance

Nine Members of Congress joined the national service field to celebrate the impact of AmeriCorps. We are grateful for the support of all our public leaders at the federal, state, and local level who enable AmeriCorps to successfully meet the many needs of our nation.

• Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY)

• Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)

• Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

• Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)

• Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)

• Senator David Vitter (R-LA)

• Representative Brian Higgins (D-NY)

• Representative David Price (D-NC)

• Representative Christopher Shays (R-CT)

Event Photos

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY)		Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)		Senator Lisa Murkowski (D-AK)
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)		Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)		Senator David Vitter (R-LA)
Representative Brian Higgins (D-NY)		Representative David Price (D-NC)		Representative Christopher Shays (R-CT)

Photos by Pepe Gomez
ImageLink Photography