This article put into words the many hopes and sentiments I share, spoken from the voices of leaders and organizations I admire greatly. I am grateful for the existing partnership, advice, and leadership of Manu Meel, Kristin J. Hansen, and Andrew Hanauer to strengthen our efforts at AmeriCorps. The role service plays in uniting all Americans is also informed by the research, data, tools and writings of Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE), Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, Civic Health Project to name a few.
Citizen University's Eric Liu, former Board Member for AmeriCorps noted, "We have to prioritize what it means to build trust and belonging and commitment in the places where we live.” Trust building, relationships, place-based solutions have always been at the heart of AmeriCorps. With ongoing support, resource sharing, and coordinated investments between our #philanthropy, #bridging and #nationalservice partners, AmeriCorps members and volunteers - placed in nearly 40,000 communities across the United States - can skillfully unite Americans through service.
I would love the opportunity to strategize with organizations passionate about bridging and the infinite ways national service can be a conduit for healing and repairing in a post-election era.