Highlighting the positive contributions made by members to communities during their service term

Through each AmeriCorps service term, CTNC’s Resilience Corps NC program builds partnerships and fosters collaboration throughout North Carolina to achieve a more resilient state, better prepared to meet the challenges presented by our changing climate.  

At the end of July, Resilience Corps NC members gathered in Wilmington, NC for an End of Year Summit. During the event, we sat down with members to learn more about their service term and asked them the following questions: 

  • What led you to serve with Resilience Corps NC? 
  • What was a highlight or rewarding experience of your service term? 
  • What does a resilient community mean to you? 

Their answers vary, as members are placed at host sites throughout the state, each working toward specific goals to better their local communities. One thread that ties every service placement together is the great impact that one person can have in strengthening the community and furthering our shared conservation goals. As we reflect on the last service term and look ahead to the outcome of the current term, we are grateful for their perspective.  

We are honored to feature a song by CTNC Board President, Bill Leslie, in this video. Bill is a talented musician and songwriter with dozens of beautiful songs, many inspired by North Carolina’s landscapes. This one is titled “Pungo Gumbo.”

With the 2024-25 service term underway, progress made during the previous year advances, ensuring that the contributions made by members are built upon and expanded. Last year, there were 24 members stationed at 18 host sites. This year, 24 members are serving local communities through 21 host sites. Six members from the previous service term decided to stay with Resilience Corps NC for a second term. Five of the returning members are featured in the video: Rae Cohn, Jessica Blackburn, Gina Patton, John Sugg, and Lauren Waibel. By choosing to return, they will ensure continuity for the organizations they serve, strengthening long-term program sustainability and deepening their impact. 

We look forward to seeing our current members’ contributions to their host site and building connections in their community. Through environmental education, land protection and stewardship, flood mitigation, volunteerism, and climate and conservation outreach, our members are actively contributing to bettering our state for future generations.