March 7-13^th is National AmeriCorps Week, a celebration of the nationwide service initiative and the over one million members who have pledged to “Get Things Done” since the program started in 1994. In addition to being united in service to help solve our nation’s greatest challenges, these volunteers are key to developing innovative programs and meeting local needs.

United General District 304 has hosted AmeriCorps members since 2014 to assist with some of our most memorable and impactful programs including: Concrete Summer Learning Adventure, Farm to School, and the Children’s Council of Skagit County. In 2019, we began collaborating with Health 360, a national service organization focused on addressing mental health needs in local communities. Healthy Minds Alliance service members provide evidence-based suicide prevention and mental health literacy courses over a 10-month term. To date, our members have trained over 250 people in lifesaving and stigma-busting courses like Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) and Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Youth Mental Health
First Aid Course

QPR Suicide
Prevention Class

After service, AmeriCorps members often go on to careers that make significant contributions to the safety, health, and well-being of their communities. With practical experience and the values of service and education instilled throughout a term, AmeriCorps builds the next generation of helping professionals. Roughly 15% of our current staff have held an AmeriCorps position at some point in their career, including many hosted right here at United General District 304! Building on the connections made through service, members can also go on to work for non-profits, schools, local government, and other types of service agencies.

Our most recent AmeriCorps member, Lindsey, has gone on to work for Volunteers of America Western Washington. As our first Healthy Minds Alliance AmeriCorps she started her term just as COVID shutdowns began. Despite the challenges she faced, Lindsey was able to complete her service term and train community members in QPR via Zoom.

Lindsey’s new position as a Mental Health Crisis Triage Clinician is such a great match for her strengths and experience and we are so happy she is thriving!

Lindsey recently reached out to us saying,

“I learned such an incredible amount during my time with you – so much about myself, my dreams, my passions, and my goals. I was really able to discover what a bright future I had with you all. I know 2020 was a hard time for all of us in many ways. I admire the way we were all able to come together and support one another. I am forever filled with that love and a sincere amount of gratitude.”