"In the beginning, my reason for joining was to facilitate play groups like my friend and mentor, Kathleen, did," Lashonda stated. "My reason changed shortly after that. On a Friday DRC service project, we volunteered at Habitat for Humanity helping a low income mother and her child move into her new home. As a single mother, I could relate to her on many levels; and from that point on I dedicated my time, heart, and soul into volunteering and being a support system for mothers, families, youth, and children. It is important to me to be a leader and a positive role model. Sometimes all it takes is a little help, in any kind of way to make someone's life a little better. Now, just as Kathleen helped me, I'm helping families and my community by facilitating adult/child interaction play groups, our after-school program, education-based summer camp for low-income youth, GED classes, and engaging my community in volunteer events such as basketball tournaments, talent shows, and other service activities."

Lashonda has been instrumental in the planning and implementation of the DRC AmeriCorps program's large scale service events such as the 2011 Global Youth Service Day and the 2012 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day project in River Rouge. These two events engaged more than 1,500 volunteers in service and had a tremendous impact on the River Rouge community. Lashonda has also helped recruit and train six new DRC AmeriCorps members from her community into the Walter White Community Resource Center.

"Lashonda embodies the true spirit of AmeriCorps," stated program director, Joe Spain. "Her commitment to AmeriCorps and River Rouge is evident every day in her positive attitude, constant smile, and in her complete passion to serve and to make her community a better place. As a mom, community member, leader, and friend to all, Lashonda continues to be a constant reminder of the positive value in service." Lashonda is looking forward to her next major project, which is the annual Basketball Tournament that will engage more than 100 youth on Saturday, February 25, 2012.

For more information about the Downriver CARES AmeriCorps program, please contact program director, Joe Spain at jspain@iamtgc.net or (734) 785-7705 ext. 7209. For more information about AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov.