SALEMBURG—In hopes of finding out what to do after graduation day, the cadets at Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy got a chance to look at several options that will be available to them through the AmeriCorps organization.

Beth Norris, chairwoman for the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, explained that the AmeriCorps organization provides many different opportunities to help people and communities.

Some of the programs that are championing the cause of helping communities, she noted, include the Project Heart program with East Carolina University. Norris referred to it as a “top notch” program, which provides tutoring services to at-risk students in kindergarten through high school.

Two cadets who were eager to hear about the program were Nykeya Moore and Cortney Palmer. Both listened as director Charis Tucker explained how the program helps children.

“We provide tutoring for students who are struggling in reading and math,” said Palmer.

But Project Heart was not the only program available for cadets to consider. Stephanie Baldwin from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s AmeriCorps Cross Cultural Education Service Systems program came wanting to talk to cadets about how they could be helping immigrants and refugees in the area.

“We provide health liaisons and interpreter access for immigrants,” said Baldwin, hoping that some of the cadets may want to help with this particular program.

Charlotte Stewart, an employee with the North Carolina Literacy Corps, couldn’t help but notice how interested the cadets were when they heard about her program.

And one cadet in particular, Lauren Lucas, paid special attention to what Stewart had to say about it.

“I am very interested in working with kids,” said Lucas, adding that her interest came from her mom who was a foster parent.

And, there was also a group on hand at the event dedicated to helping the environment.

Josie Butler, a Clinton native and AmeriCorps volunteer, came to the event eager to talk to the cadets about “going green” and teaching people about helping the Project Conserve organization.

Butler, herself, has already benefited from AmeriCorps, since she said it helped her find work after her recent graduation from college.

“When I got out of college, I couldn’t find work ... AmeriCorps provided this opportunity for me,” said Butler.

Tim Kelly, training officer with the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, hopes that by having the cadets see what is open to them, they will want to commit a year of service to the organization.

“We want the cadets to consider AmeriCorps,” said Kelly, noting that each person who is approved to be an AmeriCorps volunteer is allowed a living stipend, health insurance and a possible $5,000 stipend for education, if the person serves for one year.

Kelly noted that the relationship between Tarheel ChalleNGe and the commission came from the Governor’s Page Program, in which the cadets are offered the opportunity to serve at the state’s capital for a week.

“We already had a relationship from the Governor’s Page Program,” said Kelly.

Earl Spell, the placement coordinator with Tarheel ChalleNGe, felt that the service fair was a good fit with the program, since the cadets are required to provide 60 hours of community service as part of their graduation requirements, despite the National Guard’s requirement of 40 hours.

“Our director felt that we needed more than that,” said Spell.

Eddie Toler, the director for Tarheel ChalleNGe, agrees that the AmeriCorps program reiterates the goals and missions of the academy.

“Our goal is to teach them to be more successful citizens, and part of that is learning to give back to the community,” said Toler.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.