The Massachusetts Service Alliance has announced $217,200 to support and place 20 Playworks AmeriCorps coaches to serve in schools across Boston and Lawrence.
This year, over 1,500 AmeriCorps members will serve and respond to our Commonwealth’s most pressing needs. AmeriCorps members will tutor and mentor at-risk youth ages pre-K through high school, expand access to recovery and treatment services for those struggling with opioid addiction, prepare communities for natural disasters, teach young people how to grow and cook healthy foods, provide support services to refugees and immigrants, preserve and rehabilitate our forests and waters, and more.
Since AmeriCorps began in 1994, more than 35,000 Massachusetts residents have served 48 million hours through the national service program, generating over $1.13 billion in community impact. These AmeriCorps members have also earned $117.5 million in education awards.
We at Playworks are thrilled to kick off the new school year with our biggest AmeriCorps cohort ever. Our 20 AmeriCorps coaches will facilitate safe and healthy play in schools across our region for every student every day.
Meet our AmeriCorps coaches:
Our AmeriCorps members are joining us from all different walks of life, but they have a shared commitment to community service and youth development. Get to know two of our amazing new AmeriCorps coaches making an impact in schools this year:
Jessika
AmeriCorps Coach at the Curley K-8 School in Jamaica Plain
Jessika joins the Playworks team from Boston Medical Center where she worked with patients from all over the world. Her background is in physical therapy and her ultimate goal is to open her own physical therapy practice—that is, if she’s not working for the New England Patriots or the Boston Celtics.
“The most exciting thing about my year of service is definitely the kids. I look forward to the smiles, the handshakes and the crazy and goofy things we get to do together. They make coming to work everyday all worth it. If I can change the life of one kid, then I know I’ve made a difference!”
Logan
AmeriCorps Coach at the Boston Teachers Union School in Jamaica Plain
Logan is a recent graduate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she studied accounting. After realizing that accounting was not for her, she heard about Playworks and couldn’t have been more excited about the opportunity to be a Coach. Logan is a Revere, MA native and graduate of the Revere Public School District.
“I’m thrilled to a part of a nationwide program that gives back to local communities! I believe that through this program, I will build great relationships while meeting people with goals and mindsets similar to my own. I’m hoping for a memorable year, but more importantly an impactful one.”
