option for me because I didnt think I could afford it. The - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

“I didn’t think college was an option for me because I didn’t think I could afford it. The AmeriCorps Education Award covered my first year of Community College, allowing me to give it a shot at no risk. Now I am on my way to pursue my Graduate degree in Non- profit Management without any major debt.” - Lashon Amado YouthBuild Brockton Graduate

“My Education Award gave me the opportunity to discover the importance, and passion behind my educational career. Currently, I am pursuing a path down Social Work; I otherwise would not have known where my true talents lie without the funding of my Educational Award. ” Maria Valdez - YouthBuild Graduate American Youth Works, Austin, TX

“My life long dream of attending college was made possible with the education award. I was able to finish my first year of college without any hurdles to paying my tuition. …I am on the path to becoming a pediatrician all made possible because of my service and the education award.” - - Marie Assaf - YouthBuild Graduate - Guadalupe Alternative Programs St. Paul, MN

“I used my AmeriCorps award so that I could make PSE a reality in my life. The AmeriCorps award allowed me to enroll in Bunker Hill Community College as a part time student geared towards a Human Services Associates degree; So I may continue to pave the road That AmeriCorps started me on !” - Brandon M. Menjares - YouthBuild Graduate - YouthBuild ust-A-Start, Cambridge, MA

“Because of my AmeriCorps service… I developed a sense of service to my community and a sense of integrity, knowing that I can not only change my own life but I can affect others through service .” - David Doyle YouthBuild Graduate American Youth Works Austin, TX

“ AmeriCorps service allowed me to see the benefits of volunteering and the difference I made to not only my community, but the organization where I was serving. It truly opened my eyes and impacted what I do for work. “ - Kirsys Soto YouthBuild Graduate YouthBuild Brockton, MA

“ I used my education award to enroll in 3 classes at Massasoit Community College. If it were not for my education award, I would not have been able to enroll that semester, due to financial aid issues I was having at the time. “ - Kirsys Soto YouthBuild Graduate YouthBuild Brockton, MA

“ AmeriCorps service has changed me in so many ways. I never once thought I would be cleaning my community and lending a helping hand to help the less fortunate. “ Carmen Cotton YouthBuild Graduate Venice YouthBuild, CA

Community service has helped me become a better person. You never realize how much of a difference one helping hand can do until you see the outcome of it. Community service has taught me how to be humble and not be so quick to judge. - Lidia Gonzales YouthBuild Graduate Yuba County Office of Education Yuba, CA

“I wanted to go to school for Carpentry and Construction Management at Atlantic Technical College. The AmeriCorps award gave me a full ride scholarship helping me graduate without debt and earning a degree. “ - Darien Henderson YouthBuild Graduate Prevention Plus YouthBuild Atlanta, GA

“I felt so empowered through all the service I have done for my community and other communities I have gotten a chance to work in. I never thought I could ever get out of my community and make a change, but the service I did had a lot of impact on other people’s lives. Service also impacted mine by making me feel good about myself, doing something right and making the world a better place to live in with every hour of service we put in .” Steven Love – YouthBuild Graduate Venice YouthBuild, CA

“I didn’t think I would be able to go to college because of the fees, not being able to afford a laptop and other things I needed for college, until I joined AmeriCorps. I have earned two full education awards. That motivated me because that’s the extra support I needed to make it through, so that is what I will use my education award on and I got it all though service .” Steven Love - Venice YouthBuild Graduate of 2012

“I think AmeriCorps education awards are a great way to get people involved in their communities because even though they are getting something in return to help in your community, people can use their education award and get an education. Then maybe they would want to come back and help their communities because they know it will help others the same way AmeriCorps helped them. - Kiana Wiley – YouthBuild Graduate YouthBuild Columbus Charter School, OH

“AmeriCorps service changed my life. I never served or thought about serving my home town, and since being an AmeriCorps member I have served twice a week in the community I live in now. Instead of taking from my community, I now give back through volunteer work I do. I feel better about myself and I have a lot of self-respect because of my AmeriCorps service .” Sharell Harmon – YouthBuild Graduate North Central YouthBuild Graduate, Elkins, WV

“AmeriCorps service allowed me to see that helping my community does make a difference and showed me that service is bigger than just me .” Christopher Shaw – YouthBuild Graduate David Doyle Quad City YouthBuild Hammond, LA