I volunteered for AmeriCorps during my sophomore year at UC Riverside 2001-2002. I volunteered at Taft Elementary and mentored and tutored 5th graders. I also assisted in the 2nd grade class. I helped facilitate the after-school program which involved sports and art activities. With AmeriCorps, we were also involved in renovating the Cesar Chavez center. If you've been there, I painted the little chair with the ocean scene, octopus, seaweed and all! We did A LOT of community service, from cleaning up the streets, picking up needles, to planting trees and passing out hybrid citrus fruits during the Orange Festival. I also was involved with the Riverside County Dept of Mental Health and worked with their Program Advancement Unit. AmeriCorps opened A LOT of doors for me. It was fun and it felt like you were making a difference. I really hope that it continues to grow and flourish. read more