Martin Novak
RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

Kimbra Staten

Story of Service: Kimbra Staten

Kimbra, with the Rappahannock Goodwill - Goodskills Literacy Corps Americorps program in Fredericksburg, says the experience has opened up a whole new world to her. "I've had an exciting service year and as I begin on my second term I am elated on what I will discover about myself and others that I tutor," she says. "The most rewarding experience is meeting and interacting with a diversity of people. This volunteer position has enlightened me in enormous ways. Between the personal development training, conferences, workshops and online studies -- I feel confident that AmeriCorps will propel me into being an...
YEP Group Photo

Youth Education Program, Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Story of Service: Youth Education Program, Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

2024 Governor's Volunteerism & Community Service Award honoree the Youth Education Program (YEP) is a Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia team of certified Extension Master Gardeners that provides hands-on youth gardening education at local schools and youth organizations. With a focus on sustainable practices, YEP’s 10-15 members collectively worked approximately 1,400 hours in the past year and served nearly 20 different youth organizations, including elementary schools in Alexandria and Arlington, the local Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington, and the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center.   YEP members empower kids, caregivers, and teachers to practice sustainable gardening through fun activities related...
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Kim Martin

Story of Service: Kim Martin

Ria

Ria Badhwar

Story of Service: Ria Badhwar

Ria Badhwar is the founder of EmpowerNari, a nonprofit supporting women facing mental health issues. "Growing up, I witnessed the struggles my mother faced with severe depression and anxiety," she reflects. "This experience profoundly affected me, and in 2022, when my mother left abruptly, I too struggled with my mental health challenges. Through EmpowerNari, I’ve worked to address the lack of resources available to low-income women and teen girls in my community, where financial strain often exacerbates mental health problems due to the significant wealth gap in Loudoun County and the broader DMV area." To date, EmpowerNari has collected over...
RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

Crystal Curtis

Story of Service: Crystal Curtis

Crystal Curtis, Appalachian Community Action and Development Agency AmeriCorps VISTA Member of the Year - AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members bring their passion and perseverance where the need is greatest: to organizations that help eradicate poverty.  Ms. Curtis is the Appalachian Community Action Agency’s first dedicated staff member to address the drug/opioid addiction issue which is crippling Southwest Virginia. As an AmeriCorps VISTA, Crystal has been highly effective in raising community awareness about the agency’s program and expanding its reach throughout the community. She has been a constant presence at educational and drug take back events and even...
RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

TJ Kim

Story of Service: TJ Kim

Congratulations to TJ Kim of McLean - winner of the 2021 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Youth Volunteer! Becoming a Navy pilot has been one of TJ Kim's greatest childhood dreams. To make his dream a reality, he began taking flying lessons as a teen. When TJ’s school and lacrosse season were shut down due to COVID-19, his flight training became one of the only activities he could still enjoy. The high school senior decided to combine his passion for flight with helping others as a way to help serve his community during this challenging time, he...

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