Michigan's AmeriCorps Alum Spotlight

Alum of the Month – April 2025: Sydney Deal, Ann Arbor Climate Corps

Sydney Deal served as an AmeriCorps volunteer with the Ann Arbor Climate Corps (A2CC) from 2023-2025. The Ann Arbor Climate Corps supports Ann Arbor's A2Zero plan, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030. Starting in October 2023, ten AmeriCorps volunteers began serving with A2RC to focus on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and climate, particularly in Environmental Justice communities. Volunteer activities enhance neighborhood-focused decarbonization, education, sustainable practices, and public land stewardship.

During her time with A2CC, Deal served in the City of Ann Arbor’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations on the Energy Team.  She provided outreach and education in the community about how to get the city to become carbon neutral. Deal also served as the program’s LeaderCorps representative, acting as a liaison between the Michigan Community Service Commission and her cohort.

Being a new program in 2023, Deal was able to help shape the program and its future impact, working closely with her leadership to provide feedback for program development. According to current volunteer, Kayala Talampas, Deal “is one of the original Ann Arbor Climate Corps volunteers and saw the program grow. She was a natural leader, always wanting to learn and grow, and aimed to help others understand the impact of AmeriCorps.”

At the end of her second term, Deal was committed to finding a career in climate initiatives and promoting service.  She used the skills she gained during her service terms to bring with her to a new role in a new city.  She is now a MI Healthy Climate Fellow at the City of Ferndale where she creates opportunities for people to come together, connect with one another, and make their surroundings a better place. In her new role Deal aims to educate the public on healthy climate practices and wants residents to understand that “it’s not necessary to be an expert on climate to make your house or neighborhood safer and cleaner. A desire to learn and a willingness to dedicate your time are all that you need to be part of something bigger than yourself.”

Although her service has come to an end, Deal describes her time in AmeriCorps as “a great opportunity that allowed me to change people’s lives for the better, all while learning from highly intelligent and passionate leaders in the environmental field.” Deal continues, “my service was most valuable in cementing my sense of internal strength and perseverance for what I want to accomplish. I will be able to carry my resolve through the rest of my career– even when faced with large, difficult challenges—because of my experiences with AmeriCorps.”

 Learn more about Ann Arbor Climate Corps (A2CC) and other Michigan’s AmeriCorps programs making a positive impact in communities across Michigan. For more information about AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov