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Americorp volunteers including, standing, from left, Mandy Volkmer, Angela MacDonald, Sarah Powers, T.J. Horvath, Ann Goering, Kerri Riley, Crystal Ringenberg, Anna Ing, Seated, from left, Melanie Davis, Dave Burgess and Kathleen Egbers. Not pictured: Alicia Behrens, Jamie Christensen, Keturah Hopkins, Megan Frantz and Tracy Davis. |
The institute’s commitment to training these volunteers and, in particular, listening to their ideas and critiques, has made MMI AmeriCorps volunteer unit one of the nation’s best. In June, the unit received national recognition as one of the “Most Innovative Programs” in the United States.
“This national recognition means a great deal to our program,” said Amanda Volkmer, mental health practitioner and AmeriCorps project coordinator in the MMI department of psychology. “This is our first year of operation and to receive this kind of honor so early in the development of our program says a lot about the quality of our volunteers and the support they receive from MMI faculty and staff. There are 48 AmeriCorps programs in Nebraska alone and thousands across the country.
“Our AmeriCorps unit employs 18 members or volunteers around the institute per year. We recruit individuals eager to learn and who have a strong desire to give back to their communities. Our members train and provide service for psychology, recreational therapy, and project best-case, pediatric dentistry and throughout the state in our behavior outreach clinics. In addition, they plan volunteer activities in the community.”
AmeriCorps is a national service initiative signed into law by President Clinton in 1993. The program offers Americans an opportunity to serve their country and make a difference in their own community. The MMI AmeriCorps mission is to provide an opportunity for Americans to increase the independence, productivity and community integration of people with disabilities. More than 500 AmeriCorps projects have been awarded nationally.
The MMI AmeriCorps project serves Nebraska and is based in Omaha. The program is funded through a grant from the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission to the Munroe-Meyer Institute. The unit’s membership includes people with and without developmental disabilities.
Membership is open to anyone with a high school diploma or GED, is at least 17 years old and is a U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident. Selected members receive living stipends and education awards, as well as leadership training such as public speaking and group participation techniques.
In addition to their regular responsibilities, this year AmeriCorps members participated in the following activities outside MMI:
- “Parent’s Night Out” – a child care program that allows clients of the Ollie Webb Center to drop off their disabled children and enjoy a night out;
- Children’s respite care centers – members assisted with the event and participated in the walk;
- “Walk & Roll for Disabilities” – members assisted with the event, as well as walked;
- “Very Special Persons Club” – members recruited volunteers to provide recreational activities to teens with disabilities;
- Ollie Webb Picnic – members planned and sponsored a picnic for clients of the Ollie Webb Center;
- Watt Grant volunteers – members recruited volunteers to provide child care so that parents could attend an eight week program teaching them interventions to improve their child’s academic performance.
“In my opinion, volunteerism is part of what makes communities thrive,” said Ann Goering, a member of the MMI AmeriCorps award-winning team. “Having served with MMI, I know that in the future I will look for more opportunities to participate. I believe that volunteers add to the attraction of the facility.
Goering said she facilitated communications between English and Spanish speakers, so parents of patients needing dental care could talk with providers without having to wait for campus translators. “I help explain the importance of oral hygiene and various procedures such as the use of sedatives and oral surgery,” she said.
“The MMI program is unique and innovative because we deal with children and disabilities and treat these children and their families as a part of the community without prejudice,” she said. “We respect their cultures and their language. It was a pleasure to serve this program.”
The MMI AmeriCorps team included non-students Dave Burgess, Ann Goering and Kathlene Egbers, as well as students from the following colleges and universities: T.J. Horvath, Angela MacDonald, Kerri Riley (University of Nebraska at Omaha); Jamie Christensen (University of Nebraska at Kearney); Melanie Davis (Metropolitan Community College); Tracy Davis, Alicia Behrens (Doane College); Sarah Powers (Mankato State); Crystal Ringenberg (St. Cloud State University); Anna Ing (Carleton College); and Megan Frantz (St. Louis University).
For more information about the MMI AmeriCorps program, contact Volkmer at 402-559-5762.