AmeriCorps Shapes Lives

You could say Max Gruber’s life was greatly impacted by his AmeriCorps service. Max serves as Virginia AmeriCorps Fiscal and Administration Officer, supporting partner organizations through budgeting, compliance and the financial components of AmeriCorps, but his AmeriCorps experience started long ago as a young man fresh out of college. After being persuaded by a few close friends, Max joined AmeriCorps NCCC in Sacramento, California. “My team travelled the Western USA and had projects – called ‘Spikes’ – that included updating enclosures at the Sacramento Zoo, trail building in Bolinas, California, assisting the winter coat drive with the Sacramento Salvation Army, building houses with Habitat for Humanity in Jackson, Wyoming, prepping a summer camp in Sisters, Oregon, doing invasive species removal in Cave Junction, Oregon and building community gardens in Seattle, Washington”, Gruber shared. Max’s service journey had begun, and his life was on a new course.

Many volunteers make great connections during their service work. In Max’s case, he met the greatest connection there is – his wife. “My wife (Courtney) and I met when we were on the same NCCC team”, says Gruber. He and his wife continued to make service a part of their life together. They joined a group of friends and traveled eastward to Asheville, North Carolina where they joined an AmeriCorps State program, serving as volunteer coordinators and after-school facilitators. After serving in Asheville, Max and Courtney landed full-time positions in the non-profit sector, but, after a few years, they decided to set off on another service adventure by joining the Peace Corps. “We left our jobs and served for two years as teachers and community developers in a mountain village in Kosovo. Much like our AmeriCorps years, Peace Corps challenged us in a number of ways. Professionally, physically, mentally, linguistically, and culturally. Also, like AmeriCorps, these great challenges resulted in great fulfillment”, says Gruber.

Although he has enjoyed serving and volunteering, Max acknowledges that AmeriCorps service can present challenges. “One of my greatest challenges of AmeriCorps service was making ends meet while living on a stipend. My service coincided with navigating early adulthood and learning how to live on a tight budget. These early lessons in personal finance have proven incredibly valuable for navigating major life and economic events”, shares Gruber, “If you are open to being challenged (physically or mentally), to learning new skills, and to making lifelong friends, then you should join AmeriCorps. Though, be cautious before committing because national service has the power to change your life and your trajectory!”

Max credits AmeriCorps for shaping the life he lives today. Through his service journey he was introduced to the world around him, found a community of friends, traveled the world with his wife and secured a career path that continues to fuel his passion for service. When asked to explain why he believes AmeriCorps is a great way to serve, here is what he had to say, “When we serve, we are changing lives – the lives of those we serve as well as our own. AmeriCorps provides an avenue to service that strengthens communities across the country, and I believe the number of supporters will only grow with time.”

We want to thank Max and all our AmeriCorps members for dedicating themselves to national service.