后不久 克里斯蒂Ohlrogge 毕业于 明尼苏达大学 于2018年8月获得传播学学位, she realized a great opportunity waited for her in service to her home state. 23岁的北街. 保罗本地人加入了 双子城人类栖息地, an organization that works to provide affordable housing in the metro area as well as assistance with home repair, 房屋所有权课程等等. Now six months in on her one-year term with the organization, 她分享了她的经历, 智慧与技巧 ServeMinnesota.
Why did you choose to serve with AmeriCorps instead of something else after graduation?
I was looking for a job after graduation, and I didn’t seem to have the right experience for the work I was looking for. It turned out that AmeriCorps could provide me with that. It was great because it’s allowed me to transition into a fulltime position, and it was much better than taking an unpaid internship, 这Also是一种可能性吗.
What do you do with 双子城人类Habitat?
I am a communications associate. My position is the best, in my opinion, because it’s always moving and changing. My general role is to work on a variety of communications – whether that’s event support, Blog写作, photography, videography or other things related to communications. Why I like it, though, is it gives me freedom to try new things and learn from what the awesome staff members here are doing. (
就你们的服务而言, is it unusual that you work at an office rather than outside on a construction site?
It’s new that 双子城人类栖息地 is adding more capacity building positions. 我是第一个，而且我不是从建筑业开始的. I was lucky enough to come across this right after it was posted 和 got through the application process pretty quickly. 我们办公室现在有5名美国志愿队成员.
What is your favorite project you’ve worked on with 栖息地 so far, 和 why?
My service position is about sharing stories about strong, unique 和 caring families 和 volunteers. I love being able to tell others about them 和 about 栖息地’s programs because I feel that the organization is really making a difference by giving their families a solid foundation on which to become truly successful – 和 then spread that into Minnesota communities.
The reason why a lot of us who serve 和 work at 栖息地 hold the mission so close to our hearts is we feel that homeownership is really the beginning of the spectrum. 当家庭有了保险箱, 稳定和负担得起的住房, they are happier 和 healthier 和 grow to become strong pillars in their neighborhoods.
What is your advice for others thinking about joining AmeriCorps in Minnesota?
我的建议是试一试. There are many programs to choose from – so anyone can find something that interests them while doubling as a way to give back to communities that they care about. On top of the vast array of purposes to the programs you can serve in, there’s a myriad of choices as far as commitment level – whether that’s a summer term like I started with, 或者全身心投入工作一年.
靠这微薄的津贴你怎么生活? What advice would you give others who might be worried about getting by?
My advice is to do your research, ask current AmeriCorps members 和 do anything to cut corners. It is such a privilege to serve – 和 there are definitely many ways to make it doable. A lot of programs offer things that help make it more of an option for people interested in serving. 栖息地, 例如, offers an affordable housing option at a four-plex 和 the rent is $200 a month. 阅读队，数学队，机会队 和 复苏队 also offer a housing stipend if you serve in the metro.
也, AmeriCorps members can become eligible for SNAP Benefits, 某些健身房有折扣, 交通折扣和其他计划. There are ways to get creative to live on an AmeriCorps allowance.
How will this kind of service prepare you for the future?
我希望从事通讯方面的工作, 可能是非营利组织, so it’s a really attractive alternative to an internship. 很多非营利组织不给实习生发工资, so AmeriCorps is better than an internship in that way. 作为我的项目主管, 克里斯多, always likes to say: Serving as an AmeriCorps member provides a massive opportunity for the ability to step up in the organization you’re serving in.
+, AmeriCorps is well known for its passionate 和 driven alumni, 所以在你的简历上有美国服务队的经历总是加分项.
What’s the best part of serving your state 和 country?
I think personally I would have to say the ability to explore. I already have had a lot of experiences that provide me with insight both to myself 和 the nonprofit sphere. Trust me when I say that even if you are familiar with nonprofits, you have no idea the vast amount of programs there are 和 the amazing work they accomplish.
