Lizzie Scott
Planting Shade

Evan Nied

Story of Service: Evan Nied

In his volunteer service, Evan Nied has made notable contributions on the local and national levels. He is the founder of Planting Shade, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has planted more than 14,000 trees through 10 local chapters in 7 states. Planting Shade also hosts educational events for students to learn the benefits of planting trees.   Since starting Planting Shade on his own, Evan has forged relationships with arborists and forestry agencies in Virginia and elsewhere; collaborated with private landowners, country clubs, homeowners' associations, and colleges to identify places to plant trees; solicited cash and in-kind contributions ranging from regional...
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HERO Club of Amherst County High School

Story of Service: HERO Club of Amherst County High School

Congratulations to HERO Club of Amherst County High School - winner of the 2020 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Educational Institution! When Amherst County High School student Alannah Wilson started the HERO (Helping Everyone Reach Out) Club four years again, she never dreamed the ripple effect it would have. She founded the student-led organization during her freshman year with a two-fold goal: answering people's questions about disabilities and how those disabilities affect people, and facilitating self-determination and self-advocacy. The club has grown to 30 volunteers, both students and their family members, annually. Membership is comprised of students...
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Bessida Cauthorne White

Story of Service: Bessida Cauthorne White

Bessida Cauthorne White is a dedicated volunteer, activist, genealogist, and retired attorney. As a volunteer, she is committed to serving at the Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society, where her ongoing tasks include collaborating with museum staff, board, citizens, and historical entities to identify speakers or programs that reflect an aspect of local history. She also works to identify appropriate locations for programming with museum support. Bessida says, "I am passionate about community history and appreciate the way that a comprehension of its many facets fosters critical thinking and a deeper understanding of diverse cultures. The Middlesex County Museum and...
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Claudia Ramirez Cuéllar

Story of Service: Claudia Ramirez Cuéllar

AmeriCorps member Claudia Ramirez Cuéllar currently serves at Aspire Afterschool Learning as the Parent Coordinator in the AmeriCorps Learning Links program. In her role, Claudia connects with the parents of Aspire students to share student progress, successes, and challenges. She greets parents as they pick up their students and communicates regularly through phone calls and text messages. She also organizes monthly talks for parents on relevant topics, such as how to read report cards, how parent-teacher conferences work, keeping children safe on the internet, and advice surrounding mental health for the parents and children. As a result of her proactive...
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Maria Badillo

Story of Service: Maria Badillo

Maria Badillo's AmeriCorp Family Supported Her Throughout Her Job Search Three months prior to the end of my VISTA year, I began a job search that I hoped would last no more than those ninety days. A millennial with a newly-minted master’s degree should be able to find a solid career job, right? Nine months later, I was nearing the end of a second AmeriCorps contract, this one a fast-paced six months helping men with barriers to employment become job-ready. Ironically. I’d been scheduling regular networking appointments and filling out job applications throughout my contract with the blessing of my...
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Faridah Abdul-Latif

Story of Service: Faridah Abdul-Latif

Ms. Faridah Abdul-Latif was one of the first residents to move-in to Loudoun View Senior Residences, an affordable housing community, when it opened in September 2022. Since then, she has volunteered twice monthly at the building’s onsite food distribution in partnership with Loudoun Hunger Relief. Her volunteerism supports community building at the property and she relays messages to staff who ensure a to-go bag of groceries is waiting for residents who aren't able to attend the regular pick-ups. Ms. Faridah also serves on True Ground Housing Partners’ Resident Council, where she offers her skills to other properties in Arlington and worked...

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