Issue: # 1
October 1, 2014


Rural Health Network of SCNY Receives AmeriCorps Grant Award

Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced that the Rural Health Network of South Central New York (RHN) has received an AmeriCorps grant award of $313,806 for the 2014-2015 program from the New York State Commission on National and Community Service. In addition to the federal grant award, private funding and in-kind donations of $265,534 will support over 30 AmeriCorps members providing essential health-related services throughout South Central New York. This is the seventh consecutive grant awarded to RHN to support the Rural Health Service Corps-AmeriCorps (RHSC) program. 

Jack Salo, Executive Director at RHN, said: "Our Board of Directors, staff, and AmeriCorps partners are excited about the award and the level of service it will support in our region. With this award, the RHSC program begins a new, multi-year initiative that will target critical health issues, hunger, and transportation needs in our rural region." 

A second component of the Rural Health Service Corps, the VISTA Program, has received a continuation of funding for the 2014-2015 service year. This year, the program has grown to a total of eight members, including a VISTA Leader, due to the success of the VISTA program over the past two years. Sara Liu, RHSC's new VISTA Leader, served formerly as VISTA Service Learning Coordinator at SUNY Broome, encouraging students to develop a passion for service learning and social justice. She says, "I am excited to bring this passion and enthusiasm for service to the Rural Health Service Corps- AmeriCorps VISTA Program and I look forward to offering support and encouragement to my fellow VISTA members throughout the service year."

Eight members of the Rural Health Service Corps have committed to a second year of service for the 2014-2015 service term. Rural Health Network is proud to have them as continuing members of the team! 

The chart below shows the impact of RHN's Rural Health Service Corps members for the 2013-2014 service year, as of February 2014. 


AmeriCorps Celebrated 20 Years, and RHSC was There!
 
On September 11th and 12th, AmeriCorps programs across the country came together in their home states to celebrate and commemorate AmeriCorps' 20th anniversary. President Bill Clinton signed the National and Community Service Act of 1993, creating AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service to expand opportunities for Americans to serve their communities. On September 12th, 1994, the first class of 20,000 AmeriCorps members began serving. Since that time, more than 900,000 Americans have served more than 1 billion hours across the country. 

Since 2004, as coordinating agency of Rural Health Service Corps,  Rural Health Network has hosted more than 150 members. Seven current members traveled to Albany on Thursday, September 11th to honor the memory of 9/11, kick off a new year of service, and recognize the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps on September 12th. 

Members cleaned debris, painted buildings and beautified Lawson Lake County Park. In addition, they had the opportunity to tour the 9/11 exhibit at the New York State Museum. They joined hundreds of AmeriCorps members from across the state to celebrate and commemorate 20 years of service. 

Ann Moring is an RHSC member serving at Rural Health Network.  As a Health Care Access Associate, she focuses on improving the health of people in rural communities by providing referrals for prescription, vision, dental, and food access assistance.
Rural Health Service Corps Members Visit Albany!  Pictured, L-R: Sarah Lister, Ann Moring, Laura  Livengood, Tom Donnelly, Nicole Zonetti, Charles  Stern. Not pictured: Julia Mahar 

Ann felt that the 20th anniversary was a great way to meet members from across the state and celebrate AmeriCorps service over the past 20 years. Regarding her experience at the celebration, she said, "I am excited to continue the tradition of serving my community and getting things done."

To learn more about the celebration in Albany and to see a listing of NYS programs included in the event, click the link below to read a press release from Governor Andrew Cuomo. 

Full-time positions now available for 2014-2015 service year: 

Health Access Specialist

(with Mothers & Babies Perinatal Network of South Central New York)


Mobility and Transportation Advocate 

(with Mobility Management of South Central New York)

 

Eligibility Counselor

(with Hope Dispensary of the Southern Tier)


Benefits include: 
  • Living allowance of $12,100 provided during service
  • Education award of $5,645
  • Health Insurance available
  • College Loan forbearance available

For information, contact Haley Desilet 
at:
607-692-7669 or 
RHSC-staff@rhnscny.org
or visit our website at:

RHSC 2014-2015
Host Sites

AmeriCorps and VISTA members
will serve with the following organizations: 


You or someone you know may have a passion for serving those in need and a desire to make a difference. As an AmeriCorps member with the Rural Health Service Corps, you will be on the front lines, working to address critical health needs and issues, while developing professional skills and experience. Please forward this message on to anyone who may have an interest in learning more as a potential member, sponsor, or host site agency.