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MISSION
WMAC is a group that aims to support fellow AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps Alum, and the community by creating greater collaboration among organizations and project sites. VISION The West Michigan AmeriCorps Collaborative will help individual AmeriCorps participants by developing a supportive community of service members and AmeriCorps site supervisors. WMAC is meant to be an enhancement of the AmeriCorps service year by providing networking opportunities, grounds for safe dialogue, and resource sharing. This organization will enable members to be a part of the greater West Michigan area by providing volunteer service projects and special community events. Members will take part in honoring National Days of Service together throughout the calendar year. |
PURPOSE
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Meet the leadership team
2018/19 Board Chair
Megan Prybyl
AmeriCorps Position: Volunteer Services Coordinator
Serving with: Bethany Christian Services Refugee Office
1) How did you first get plugged in with AmeriCorps? I went on a Habitat for Humanity spring break trip my senior year of college and worked with an AmeriCorps member while there. She introduced me to the program and a Peace Corps information session at my school indirectly pushed me to apply. I really fell in love when I moved to Seattle to work with the Habitat for Humanity as an AmeriCorps member last year.
2) What is an issue you are passionate about? It is hard to choose just one, so I'll pick the one my work revolves around every day: Refugees and Immigration. The strength and perseverance that these people have even after all of the trauma that they have been through is inspiring. I encourage anyone that isn't familiar with these issues to research it and let's discuss!
3) What is your biggest strength? As I think everyone would agree, it can be hard to analyze yourself. But I believe my ability to empathize may be my biggest strength. I strive to meet others where they are, to make them feel understood and appreciated. I believe putting yourself in someone else's shoes can and will break down any barriers.
4) If you were a dessert, which would you be? I would love to be a bowl of Frosted Mini Wheats. Cereal is always my dessert choice...and breakfast, lunch and dinner choice.
Megan Prybyl
AmeriCorps Position: Volunteer Services Coordinator
Serving with: Bethany Christian Services Refugee Office
1) How did you first get plugged in with AmeriCorps? I went on a Habitat for Humanity spring break trip my senior year of college and worked with an AmeriCorps member while there. She introduced me to the program and a Peace Corps information session at my school indirectly pushed me to apply. I really fell in love when I moved to Seattle to work with the Habitat for Humanity as an AmeriCorps member last year.
2) What is an issue you are passionate about? It is hard to choose just one, so I'll pick the one my work revolves around every day: Refugees and Immigration. The strength and perseverance that these people have even after all of the trauma that they have been through is inspiring. I encourage anyone that isn't familiar with these issues to research it and let's discuss!
3) What is your biggest strength? As I think everyone would agree, it can be hard to analyze yourself. But I believe my ability to empathize may be my biggest strength. I strive to meet others where they are, to make them feel understood and appreciated. I believe putting yourself in someone else's shoes can and will break down any barriers.
4) If you were a dessert, which would you be? I would love to be a bowl of Frosted Mini Wheats. Cereal is always my dessert choice...and breakfast, lunch and dinner choice.
2018/19 Membership Chair
Elliott Grant
Pronouns: they/them/theirs
AmeriCorps Position: Reach Out & Read
and EatPlayGrow Coordinator
Serving with: Cherry Health AmeriCorps
1) How did you first get plugged in with AmeriCorps? I became immersed in the AmeriCorps experience a few years before my service actually started, due to witnessing the experiences of my partner and several of my friends. I saw how their lives were changed for the better and the impact they were able to have on the communities they served, and wanted to be a part of it.
2) What is an issue you are passionate about? I'm passionate about a lot of things and it can be hard to focus when it seems like so many parts of our society need healing, but a few things I am always advocating for are LGBTQ, disability, and racial justice.
3) What is your biggest strength? My creativity and compassion allow me to connect to a broader community.
4) If you were a dessert, which would you be? I think I would be something warm and comforting, like a cookie straight from the oven or a mug of hot cocoa.
Elliott Grant
Pronouns: they/them/theirs
AmeriCorps Position: Reach Out & Read
and EatPlayGrow Coordinator
Serving with: Cherry Health AmeriCorps
1) How did you first get plugged in with AmeriCorps? I became immersed in the AmeriCorps experience a few years before my service actually started, due to witnessing the experiences of my partner and several of my friends. I saw how their lives were changed for the better and the impact they were able to have on the communities they served, and wanted to be a part of it.
2) What is an issue you are passionate about? I'm passionate about a lot of things and it can be hard to focus when it seems like so many parts of our society need healing, but a few things I am always advocating for are LGBTQ, disability, and racial justice.
3) What is your biggest strength? My creativity and compassion allow me to connect to a broader community.
4) If you were a dessert, which would you be? I think I would be something warm and comforting, like a cookie straight from the oven or a mug of hot cocoa.
2018/19 Fundraising & Outreach Chair
Jessica Garcia-Hernandez
AmeriCorps Position: Bilingual Outreach & Enrollment Specialist
Serving with: Cherry Health AmeriCorps
1) How did you first get plugged in with AmeriCorps? I am a member of Cherry Health AmeriCorps and serve at the Wyoming Community Health Center as their Bilingual Outreach and Enrollment Specialist. My service year started in August 2018. I aid people in navigating through the application process of benefits such as Health Insurance, Food Assistance, and more!
2) What is an issue you are passionate about? Poverty and Hunger- Another reason why I enjoy my service is that I am helping families and individuals who find themselves in these situations.
3) What is your biggest strength? The ability to adapt to people and circumstance. I think it’s important to have that. Especially with the cultural diversity and various circumstances that exist in the community, being able to understand the people with different perspectives, experiences, and needs different from your own is the right approach to finding solutions.
2018/19 Marketing & Communications Chair
Hayley Schultz
AmeriCorps Position: Lead Pre-K Literacy Interventionalist
Serving with: Michigan Education Corps
1) How did you first get plugged in with AmeriCorps? I first learned about opportunities to serve in my area a couple of years ago while I was searching on the internet for something meaningful to do with my life. At the time, I didn't realize that I would like it so much I would serve for three years!
2) What is an issue you are passionate about? Access to quality education is very important to me. For instance, those who live in poverty are at a particularly high risk of becoming illiterate which can drastically impact their quality of life in a negative way. This population may have a more difficult time performing every day tasks due to not knowing how to read adequately, while limiting themselves to a life of financial and personal struggle. My role is to serve at the initial link toward improving equitable access in Michigan's literacy crisis.
3) What is your biggest strength? I've always had strong critical thinking skills. I've learned to balance my ability to be perspicacious along with my sensitive nature.
4) If you were a dessert, which would you be? I'd be matcha green tea ice cream because I'm full of contradictions: unique yet surprisingly simple, delicately sweet with a subtle earthy herbaceous side, tending to either be an acquired taste or an obsession.
Hayley Schultz
AmeriCorps Position: Lead Pre-K Literacy Interventionalist
Serving with: Michigan Education Corps
1) How did you first get plugged in with AmeriCorps? I first learned about opportunities to serve in my area a couple of years ago while I was searching on the internet for something meaningful to do with my life. At the time, I didn't realize that I would like it so much I would serve for three years!
2) What is an issue you are passionate about? Access to quality education is very important to me. For instance, those who live in poverty are at a particularly high risk of becoming illiterate which can drastically impact their quality of life in a negative way. This population may have a more difficult time performing every day tasks due to not knowing how to read adequately, while limiting themselves to a life of financial and personal struggle. My role is to serve at the initial link toward improving equitable access in Michigan's literacy crisis.
3) What is your biggest strength? I've always had strong critical thinking skills. I've learned to balance my ability to be perspicacious along with my sensitive nature.
4) If you were a dessert, which would you be? I'd be matcha green tea ice cream because I'm full of contradictions: unique yet surprisingly simple, delicately sweet with a subtle earthy herbaceous side, tending to either be an acquired taste or an obsession.
2018/19 Secretary & Treasurer
Cheyenne Buelterman-Fernandez
AmeriCorps Position: Outreach and Enrollment Specialist, Running Programs Liaison, Medical Interpreter
Serving with: Cherry Health AmeriCorps at the Burton Health Center inside Burton Elementary
1) How did you first get plugged in with AmeriCorps? As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I recognized AmeriCorps as a place where I could collaborate with like-minded individuals that had a heart for service. I was intrigued about the position with Cherry Health because I was able to interact directly with diverse populations and use my Spanish skills every day.
2) What is an issue you are passionate about? I believe in the power of advocating for others. It seems that every day at my service site I am connecting clients to resources they had no idea existed! During the years, I have taken pride in being the voice for so many who, without my help, would have been in a very different situation.
3) What is your biggest strength? I love organizing tiny details about a big project. Spreadsheets, sticky notes, you name it!
4) If you were a dessert, which would you be? I would be a blueberry muffin.
