By Gene Denison

Special to the News-Herald

Six members of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps shared their stories and experiences working in Suffolk at the Suffolk Kiwanis Club’s July 18 meeting.

The group recently arrived in Suffolk to spend a few weeks in the Great Dismal Swamp area to assist the staff in helping to maintain the preserve. Trained as brush and forest firefighters, Americorps members are always ready to help if a fire should erupt.

Patrick Sicovira, leader of the group, and member Chelsea Hurst described their work to the Kiwanis Club members.

“It’s a wonderful way to learn responsibility and to have chance at leadership,” Sicovira said.

He said before he came to Virginia at a temporary group leader, he worked in upstate New York.

Hurst described their living quarters at the Dismal Swamp as a “big garage.” She said some of the members pitch tents inside of the building, while others opt to sleep under the stars.

“We go out and buy all the food we need at local stores and cook it ourselves,” she said.

Americorps NCCC groups are made up of young adults from all over the country. The unit that met with the Kiwanis Club includes people from several Midwest states, including Indiana, Illinois and Kansas.

Members have to be between ages 18 and 24, and must commit to remaining in the corps for 10 months.

During their service, the group might participate in several community service activities, such as teaching children to read, building homes or cleaning up parks, in the area in which they are stationed.

Americorps NCCC, a program that started under former President Bill Clinton, provides the members with stipends to live on, health care, meals and lodging. They also receive CPR and disaster response training. At the completion of the program, each member receives $4,725 to pay for education.

For further information about the organization, visit www.americorps.gov.

CAPTIONS

Picture of woman:  Chelsea Hurst, a member of an AmeriCorps NCCC contingent based in Suffolk, describes the functions and work done by the organization all over the United States to Suffolk Kiwanis Club members at their July 18 meeting.

Picture of man: Americorps NCCC unit leader Patrick Sicovira explains the qualifications for membership in the service group and shares some of his recent service throughout the country at the Suffolk Kiwanis Club’s weekly dinner meeting July 18.