Emily Kentta, formerly of the Lake Don Pedro area, recently began a volunteer service term with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps.

Many people from Emily’s younger years know her by the name Emily Brown or Emily Kentta Brown.

She has been assigned to a team located in Vinton, Iowa.

Emily, 23, is keeping friends and family in touch on her web log, http://emilykentta.blogspot.com/

She is the daughter of Berit Brown of Coldwell Banker-Mountain Leisure Properties’ Lake Don Pedro office, and Paul Brown, also of Don Pedro.

AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, team-based residential program for men and women age 18–24. Members are assigned to one of five campuses, located in Denver, Colorado; Sacramento, California; Perry Point, Maryland; Vicksburg, MS; and Vinton, Iowa.

The mission of AmeriCorps NCCC is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service.

In partnership with non-profits – secular and faith based, local municipalities, state governments, federal government, national or state parks, Indian tribes and schools – members complete service projects throughout the their region.

Drawn from the successful models of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s and the U.S. military, AmeriCorps NCCC is built on the belief that civic responsibility is an inherent duty of all citizens and that national service programs work effectively with local communities to address pressing needs.

Members serve in teams of eight to 12 and are assigned to projects throughout the region served by their campus. They are trained in CPR, first aid, public safety, and other skills before beginning their first service project.

AmeriCorps NCCC serves communities in every state. Members are based at one of five regional campuses and travel to complete service projects throughout those regions.

Sponsoring organizations request the assistance of AmeriCorps NCCC teams by submitting a project application to the regional campus that covers that organization’s state. The campuses provide assistance in completing the application, developing a work plan, and preparing the project sponsor for the arrival of the AmeriCorps NCCC team.