Powered by the Virginia Service Foundation
About Us
/ Stories of Service
/
Deenia Carico
RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO
Deenia Carico
AmeriCorps State Member of the Year (Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service) Deenia Carico, Carroll County Public Schools Lift Up AmeriCorps, Hillsville Following a lifetime of service in teaching, Deenia continued her passion for education by joining AmeriCorps where she serves by tutoring at Oakland Elementary in Galax. In her fourth year of service, Deenia has a strong collaborative relationship with the teachers at her school and has successfully trained three new AmeriCorps members. She is also passionate about serving her community — not only taking each of the National Days of Service to heart, but also active in volunteer projects throughout the year. Deenia was instrumental in planning and implementing four annual launch events, 43 community service projects as part of the AmeriCorps program, and 15 other outside projects. Her team regularly collects more than 2,000 non-perishable food items for Carroll County’s Christmas food boxes (nearly double what larger and more affluent schools collect!). Deenia even started a new community service effort at the local soup kitchen in Galax where she conducts activities and crafts for children following mealtime. Always looking for new ways to serve others, Deenia Carico exemplifies the spirit of service of the Robert E. Wone Award. Read more Volunteer Stories! Submit a Story!
 
tap-tax-clinic-volunteers_54889661397_o

VITA Tax Clinic Volunteers at Total Action for Progress

Story of Service: VITA Tax Clinic Volunteers at Total Action for Progress

Since 2002, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Clinic at Total Action for Progress (TAP) has provided free, high-quality tax preparation for low- and moderate-income residents across Southwest Virginia, empowering families to claim critical credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, and build financial stability. Through the service of committed volunteers, the clinic has become a regional model of volunteer-driven service. A dedicated team of volunteers serve at the clinic, including Steve Cronemeyer, David Hunter, Diane Johns, John Normandy, Gerald Oefelein, Barbara Stecker, and Tom Willard, who collectively contribute thousands of hours each year. These volunteers manage every aspect of...
B Johnson

Barbara Johnson

Story of Service: Barbara Johnson

In her retirement, Barbara Johnson found herself with too much time on her hands, so she turned to AARP to help her find a way to get involved with her community. They connected her with the VCU Head Start program in Richmond Public Schools, where retired seniors are trained to become teacher’s aides. She loved the opportunity to learn while supporting youth, but the program limited her to a four-year contract. When that time ended, Barbara took the advice of some of the teachers she’d been working with, who recommended she get involved in the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program at Senior Connections.  ...
RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

Lori Schmiege & Huey Gordon

Story of Service: Lori Schmiege & Huey Gordon

National Service Alumni of the Year Huey Gordon & Lorie Schmiege, CARITAS, Richmond Both AmeriCorps Alums with CARITAS, the dynamic duo of Lori Schmiege and Huey Gordon manage the CARITAS Furniture Bank operations. Lori, who served from 2010-2011, and Huey, who served from 2011-2012, both react with empathy and a resolve to “get things done,” attitudes they developed as members. They are also both willing and happy to coach and mentor other AmeriCorps members and ultimately show these members how to be excellent employees when they move on to the workforce. Since joining CARITAS staff, they have mentored 40 AmeriCorps members...
IMG_3210

Matt Mooneyham

Story of Service: Matt Mooneyham

Matt Mooneyham found out about AmeriCorps VISTA from a conversation with his father, who shared that one of his coworker's sons did AmeriCorps after college and really enjoyed it. He recalls, "I decided to serve because I have always really enjoyed serving people, I also thought it would be a good opportunity to develop myself personally and professionally." In his current term, Matt is serving with Bay Aging, an organization providing programs and services people of all ages need to live independently in their communities. Matt engages with community members and supports Bay Aging's Regional Resilience and Equity Workgroup. He...
Background

Justin Hu & Shayla Young

Story of Service: Justin Hu & Shayla Young

360133189_599790838945128_8174318016152852924_n

The Chapel

Story of Service: The Chapel

2024 Governor's Volunteerism & Community Service Award honoree The Chapel has physical locations throughout the greater Richmond area and a life-giving online community, including Spanish-language worship services. The Chapel serves the community in a variety of ways, including monthly outreach to the homeless and worship services for those incarcerated at Chesterfield County Jail and in 42 state prisons in the Virginia Department of Corrections. They also have many partnerships with local outreach organizations as well as around the world.     The Chapel offers practical and enjoyable ways to discover life-changing community. Meaningful relationships aren’t always easy to find but The Chapel...
View all

What’s Your Volunteer Personality?

Pair your passion with purpose. Take our Volunteer Personality Quiz and find out which volunteer direction is best for you.

Take the Quiz