AmeriCorps members across Florida begin a year of sacrifice and service in AmeriCorps!

This October, more than 600 AmeriCorps members statewide attended ceremonies in Jacksonville, Lakeland and Miami to take the AmeriCorps Pledge and begin their year of intensive service and sacrifice for Florida’s communities!  The Jacksonville North Florida Launch and the Miami South Florida Launch both were held October 22, and the Central Florida Launch in Lakeland was held October 23.  In addition to the swearing-in ceremonies, AmeriCorps members listened to motivational speakers, and participated in team building exercises and valuable training opportunities designed to enhance their service experience and to help them prepare for life after AmeriCorps.

At the Jacksonville launch, hosted by Communities in Schools of Jacksonville and AmeriCorps Duval READS, Communities in Schools CEO Jon Heymann delivered a rousing speech about the importance of education and the difference AmeriCorps tutors make in the lives of at-risk children.  Volunteer Florida CEO Wendy Spencer, in her keynote speech, reminded members that with the challenges our country faces today, they were “just in time” to make life better for everyone in Florida, and Volunteer Florida Commissioner Susan Towler of Blue Cross Blue Shield spoke briefly to thank AmeriCorps members for serving Jacksonville and the North Florida region.

AmeriCorps members were sworn in by The Honorable Eleni Derke, Judge of Duval County Court.

North Florida AmeriCorps programs in attendance included:

• AmeriCorps Duval READS!
• AmeriCorps English Coaches
• AmeriCorps Gadsden Reads
• AmeriCorps Florida State Parks (Duval, Columbia, Leon, St. Augustine)
• AmeriCorps Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville
• AmeriCorps North Florida Health Corps
• AmeriCorps Putnam Reads
• AmeriCorps St. Johns Reads

The South Florida Regional launch, hosted by Trinity Church & Peacemakers Family Service Center in Miami, featured a guest appearance by Volunteer Florida Commissioner Jerry Thorpe of the Starbucks Coffee Company and a keynote speech on the importance of civic engagement by The Honorable André Williams Esq., City Councilman from Miami Gardens.  Councilman Williams also conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

Programs represented at the South Florida Launch were:

• AmeriCorps South Florida Urban Ministries
• AmeriCorps Trinity Church
• AmeriCorps Miami Reads
• City Year Miami
• Greater Miami Service Corps
• Public Allies Miami

At the Central Florida Launch in Lakeland, which was hosted by AmeriCorps Clearwater and AmeriCorps Polk Reads, CEO Wendy Spencer also provided the keynote speech, and the swearing-in ceremony was conducted by The Honorable John K. Stargel, Judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit.

Programs attending the Central Florida Regional Launch were:

• AmeriCorps Clearwater
• AmeriCorps Community Resource Navigators (Osceola)
• AmeriCorps Community Stepping Stones
• AmeriCorps Great Explorations
• AmeriCorps Hillsborough Reads
• AmeriCorps Mentor Solutions
• AmeriCorps Polk Reads
• AmeriCorps Red Cross of Lee County
• Notre Dame AmeriCorps

Serving in AmeriCorps is more popular than ever!  AmeriCorps service can provide a gateway from school into the world of work, or can be simply a means of helping a community that is important to you!  For more information on how to join AmeriCorps, contact a program in your area, or visit www.americorps.gov.