27,000 hours volunteered to serve public school kids

The Public School System and the Board of Education lauded the achievement of members and volunteers of the CNMI Americorps Program, which had so far served and mentored nearly 5,000 children on Saipan, Rota and Tinian.

In a recognition ceremony Saturday, program director Geri Willis disclosed that its 60 members throughout the islands volunteered a total of 27,000 hours to tutor Kindergarten, elementary and junior high school students in public schools.

The Americorps program started in the Commonwealth in 2006, for which the CNMI got $1.6 million in federal grant spread out over three years. This year is the last tranche of the grant.

Since the program’s inception, Gillis said the number of volunteers substantially increased every year.

In the program’s first year, PSS tapped 45 members and 45 volunteers. This went up to 60 and over 2,000 volunteers in the next program year. At present, besides the 60 members who served 27,000 hours in just eight months, the program also recorded over 5,000 volunteers from the community.

Members, composed of senior students, tutors younger students and provide them enrichment and service learning activities.

Among the top performing members were Rachel Rangamar, who served 777 hours; Cherish Jastillana, 774 hours; Edibhy Sampang, 766 hours; Leonila Sablan, 754; Ronica Atalig, 736; Xiao Tian Falig, 733; Lyza Lacsina, 715; So Young Lee, 688; Barry Toves, 583; Viony Lynn Hocog, 533; and Leticia Guzman, 477 hours.

All members and volunteers were awarded certificates and plaques of appreciation, Americorp pin, portfolio, and gift items during the recognition rites held Saturday at Hyatt Regency.

Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan, who was among the event’s guests, commended the students, volunteers, school administrators and site supervisors for their commitment to student learning.

“This event is to honor the achievements and commitments of our hardworking members and volunteers in providing tutorial services and other educational activities in school sites,” she said, commending Willis for her outstanding support for the program.

Sablan said it’s her hope to see greater participation and expansion of the program in the years ahead. She disclosed that since the graduation credit requirements for senior students was increased from 21 to 28 units, some members are finding it more difficult to volunteer more time for the program.

Willis disclosed that PSS had submitted an application to renew its three-year cycle grant and had tapped one new federal grant that may provide $1.3 million for the program’s expansion.

“We’re very optimistic,” she told Saipan Tribune, adding that if PSS is lucky to get the $1.3 million grant, it would be used in providing scholarship to members.

PSS also plans to use the new money to provide additional $225 stipend for each member. Currently, 60 members are provided a $350 monthly stipend for their services.

The AmeriCorps is federally funded through a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service, which waives the AmeriCorps matching requirements for all territories, including the CNMI.

Its purpose is to promote community service and develop dedicated role models for the local community.

Besides the stipend for members, they also qualify for an education award of $2,362 if they successfully complete 900 hours of service within the year.