On the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, AmeriCorps encourages Americans of all ages and backgrounds to join and lead community service projects to honor the lives and service of those we lost on September 11. In observation of this day, Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Members take a break from their capacity building work and engage in direct service projects with their host site or larger community. This allows for organizations and VISTAs to engage with the community to build connections and make lasting impact.
Here’s how some of our VISTA Members volunteered their time:
Lily Clemente and Catherine Read, VISTAs at Urban College of Boston volunteered at Cradles to Crayons, a local nonprofit that provides clothing to children. They spent their time sorting through donated shoes!
Cat Hudson, VISTA at Washington and Lee University, did a shift at their local food pantry, Rockbridge Area Relief Association. Cat sorted through food and composted spoiled foods and was happy to contribute to an organization they’ve volunteered with before. Rockbridge Area Relief Association aims to alleviate hunger and housing difficulties for people in times of need. “It was cool to volunteer here again because it’s grown so much since I last volunteered just 2 years ago! It looked like an actual grocery store inside which I’m sure makes the people utilizing this resource feel more comfortable. I hope to return more often to volunteer here in my free time!”
Noah Alagao, VISTA at Stanford Branching Out/Canopy says, “For my 9/11 day of service, I worked with my host site, Canopy, for their 9/11 neighborhood planting at East Palo Alto, CA. We planted a total of 20 trees within the neighborhood and collaborated with residents of East Palo Alto, a city within the Bay Area that has a rich history of environmental inequity and racism. This was my first time planting a tree so I was very excited to see how my host site facilitated their direct-service events!”
Noemi Carollo, VISTA at Agness Scott helped out at a community garden with the Food Well Alliance and Agnes Scott's People for Pollinators! Noemi shared, “we helped de-weed the beds, added compost to seedlings, and mulched around some fruit trees and helped prepare their community garden for the next growing season. It was a great experience getting to know the area around my host site and to get to know some of the students who will be involved in future projects related to my work at Agnes Scott.”
Check out some other great photos from our VISTA Members!
Stephan Oliveira, VISTA at National Louis University - Chicago Meal Pack Day
Brand’i Stewart, VISTA at Arapahoe Community College - Project Angel Heart
In total, Campus Compact VISTA Members contributed 98 hours of direct service on 9/11 Day of Service, helping 22 organizations do their essential work in communities across the country.
As we reflect on the meaningful contributions made by our Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Members this 9/11 Day of Service, we are reminded of the power of community engagement and the lasting impact of volunteerism. Each act of service not only honors the memory of those we lost, but also strengthens the bonds within our communities. We encourage everyone to find ways to give back, whether through organized events or personal initiatives, and continue this spirit of service throughout the year. Together, we can create positive change and foster a culture of compassion and support.
