Without AmeriCorps, the profound positive impacts on children and families across California would not be possible. The support and services provided through AmeriCorps programs are indispensable, fostering significant improvements in the lives of those served.
Home Visitation and Family Resource Education:
In Sacramento County alone, AmeriCorps home visitors and family resource educators have transformed the lives of 440 caregivers. Through evidence-based parenting education models like Parents as Teachers, Nurturing Parenting Program-School Age, Make Parenting a Pleasure, and the Effective Black Parenting Program, these families have seen remarkable increases in their protective factors and overall well-being.
The “Martinez” Family was referred by Child Protective Services (CPS) to enroll in B&B Spanish Make Parenting a Pleasure (MPAP) classes. “Mom” was court mandated to take the classes and “Dad” also enrolled as a support to his partner. When the family was first referred to, they were facing many barriers and stressors in their life, the biggest one being employment and income. They were seeking asylum here in the states when El Salvador was at its peak crime rate a couple years ago as they were concerned for their safety. Ever since arriving in the US, the family has had a difficult time adjusting to the culture. They had no support network or family and had difficulty looking for housing during the pandemic. Upon meeting the family, they mentioned they came from El Salvador, and this became a topic of interest because it was a similarity that we both shared since my family is also from El Salvador. They demonstrated respect and politeness towards me, despite being younger than them and facilitating the parenting classes. To some, being taught parenting skills by someone who does not have kids and is younger than them should not be facilitating because we do not have experience being a parent, however they always kept their positive attitude and seemed excited to learn. One of the most admirable strengths about this family is their positivity and resilience in the face of adversity. After listening to their stories and experiences, no matter how harsh or difficult the situation was, they maintained a positive attitude during the workshop and when telling their stories. Another one of their strengths is their unity and being supportive towards one another. They are always looking for new activities or events they can attend as a family. The MPAP series not only offered support to one another, it also helped parents understand their children and their behaviors a little more. The biggest impact that MPAP had on this family was helping them understand that children also undergo stressors, and their form of communicating is through behaviors or symptoms. The family shared how they began shifting their ways of thinking when their kids demonstrate behaviors, instead of getting angry and losing patience, they now try to ask their children questions to try to understand their children’s feelings. After receiving B&B services, the family expressed that they gained a new support network; not only here at our B&B site but also with other families that took the MPAP class. Coming to this country alone and not having support to navigate a new culture is stressful, and they were able to find a support system here. The parents are still seeking permanent employment; however, they are earning a basic income by selling food plates or cleaning homes.
Foster Youth Support:
The CA Foster Youth Initiative has been a beacon of hope for 687 foster youth, guiding them towards academic success and essential life skills development. With 94% of youth increasing their competency in vital life skills, 94% improving their financial literacy, and 87% of seniors graduating high school on time, the initiative has fundamentally altered the trajectory of these young lives, enabling them to envision and achieve a brighter future.
“The Foster Youth Initiative AmeriCorps services provided through my Independent Living Program (ILP) has not only helped me grow as a person but they saved the lost 17-year-old kid who for the 1st time in his life found himself free but terrified of the world. A year ago my AmeriCorps mentor helped me get into college and got me to focus on passing my classes. She also fought for my gender identity and mental health. Recently, my AmeriCorps mentor helped me apply for jobs when I was struggling to get employed and arranged shopping for essential items at Target. My mentor encourages me to have personal goals and to always be working on self-improvement. The program always puts us first. They get great speakers for our ILP classes, and ask our opinion on what we want to learn about. If someone needed furniture for their new apartment, or a computer for school, or driving lessons? They make it happen. They are always encouraging us to be better and to do better and that no matter our upbringing, that we deserve a good life. They push for us to be healthy, both mentally and physically, and to further our education. When I was 17 and entered the program I had never worked a real job, could only cook ramen noodles and scrambled eggs, I was failing high school and the only thing worse than my grades was my mental health. Since entering ILP I’ve not only graduated high school the year I was meant to, I started college and have worked two different jobs, I now pay rent and take care of my two little siblings. I do love this program.”
School Readiness for Young Children:
Through the First 5 Service Corps, 136 economically disadvantaged children have received crucial early childhood education, preparing them for kindergarten and beyond. The program has ensured that 100% of children who received extensive services met age-appropriate school readiness milestones, with substantial gains in social/emotional development, literacy, and math skills. These foundational improvements are vital for their long-term academic success.
“Being an Early Learning Instructor, I taught and interacted with children and parents either through the playgroup classes or the PKU classes. Our PKU classes involved instructing 10-12 children for a duration of 12 weeks (about 3 months) where we would get them ready for kindergarten by teaching them literacy, math, and social emotional development. Out of the many children, we had a student in our PKU Spanish session whom I felt benefited from our PKU classes. During the beginning of the session, it was difficult because many of the children were not used to being separated from their parents and this child was one of many. On the first day of class, he cried nonstop so much that he started coughing. It was a very difficult process for him because he had never attended a school setting before and had never been separated from his mom. So, we would talk to him about what we did at school and reassure him that his mom was on the other side of the classroom waiting for him. Over the next couple of days, he would still cry at the beginning of class and would not want to participate in class. However, after a couple of weeks, after he got used to the routine of the classroom, he would no longer cry when separated from his mom and would participate in all the activities we did during class. Towards the end of PKU he had changed completely and would interact with me and my teammate, he would no longer be upset about having to leave his mom and he would confidently say his numbers/letters/colors/shapes. I am very proud to be part of his process of overcoming difficulties to becoming a great student.”
Preventing Abuse and Strengthening Families:
The Prevent Abuse Through Home Visitation (PATH) program has provided indispensable support to 163 parents at risk of child abuse and neglect. By delivering evidence-based home visitation and parenting education, 72% of parents have improved their parenting attitudes and practices, and 90% of those who received extensive education had no substantiated referrals to the Child Welfare System. This program has been crucial in promoting healthier family dynamics and safer environments for children.
These achievements underscore the irreplaceable value of AmeriCorps programs. Without AmeriCorps, these transformative services and the resultant positive outcomes for children and families across California would not be possible. The dedication and support of AmeriCorps members have not only uplifted individual families but have also strengthened the fabric of our communities, fostering a more resilient and hopeful future for all.