We are excited to celebrate National Service Recognition Day at The Community Foundation!
This annual day recognizes thousands of AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers across the country, issuing official proclamations and taking to social media in a nationwide show of appreciation. AmeriCorps, a US civil society program, pairs individuals in volunteer service positions at organizations throughout the country.
This year, The Community Foundation is a proud host to two AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members. Below, meet our AmeriCorps staff-ers and learn what national service means to them.
‘Making a Difference When it Matters’
Toro Olatidoye, AmeriCorps Vista Member, is currently serving as Data and Research Specialist with the Children's Opportunity Fund, an initiative of The Community Foundation. She is an advocate of children’s rights, with particular focus on educational development and the rights of the most vulnerable.
As a graduate of International Human Rights Law with a focus on children’s rights, Toro believes that service offers a platform to fulfill her dream of ensuring all children receive equal opportunity in the pursuit of knowledge. She hopes to leverage this dream to transform communities--in this case, Montgomery County, Maryland.
In honor of National Service Recognition Day, we asked Toro to reflect on what, in this moment, being an AmeriCorps member means to her - and how this shapes her work at The Community Foundation, and beyond.
“Being an AmeriCorps member at this moment in time means making a difference, when it matters. I am humbled to be serving in an organization that is focused on positively impacting the lives of our youngest learners in Montgomery County. Our children deserve an opportunity to achieve their potential in life and need help now more than ever in view of the pandemic. There is a need to make quality education accessible to all of our children, irrespective of their color.
I want to help find solutions that address this need, with hopes that it will bring about positive systemic change in my community. As a resident of Montgomery County, I realize the future of our children is really all of our responsibilities. By empowering our youngest learners, we will give future innovators and solution-makers the opportunity to serve their communities. I believe, when you serve, you become a vehicle of change who inspire others to follow suit. The more people are working towards a common goal, the more positive influence and achievements you will see.”
‘A Commitment to Coming together’
Jamie Miura joined The Community Foundation in July of 2020 as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member focused on funding and community organizing with the Children’s Opportunity Fund. He is a recent college graduate with diverse experiences in nonprofits and government in Canada, Japan, and the United States.
Jamie is passionate about working with mission driven organizations that are quick and nimble in responding to community needs and work to empower voices that often remain unheard. As a native of Montgomery County, Maryland, he feels that now, more than ever, it is important to be empathetic and supportive towards each other as we move forward together as a community.
In honor of National Service Recognition Day, we asked Jamie to reflect on what, in this moment, being an AmeriCorps member means to him- and how this shapes his work at The Community Foundation, and beyond.
“As we continue to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic, we must recognize that our communities and people are hurting, none more than our youngest learners in Montgomery County, Maryland. As a recent graduate from a Canadian university, I was determined to return to the United States and tomy local community. That sentiment led me to AmeriCorps and its commitment to help Americans come together to help our country and our people prosper.
Montgomery County has been my home since I was born, and I am humbled to be in the position to come back and support our youngest learners. Working at the Children’s Opportunity Fund has been a great opportunity for me to give back to the community that raised me. I will never forget my year of service at The Community Foundation.”
About the Children’s Opportunity Fund
The Children's Opportunity Fund is an impact initiative of the Greater Washington Community Foundation which brings together top government leadership and community partners to plan, advocate for, and fund strategic investments that improve the lives of children and families in Montgomery County. The Children's Opportunity Funds invests in innovative, evidence-based efforts targeted at addressing the achievement gap.