AmeriCorps Tour

Representative Derek Kilmer (WA 6^th Congressional District) and AmeriCorps CEO, Michael Smith visited Tacoma Habitat’s Proctor Triplex site on Wednesday, August 14 to tour the site and learn how the AmeriCorps program is playing a meaningful role in addressing the housing affordability crisis in our region.

Kilmer and Smith asked the nine current and former AmeriCorps members present – five of whom are now full-time staff with Tacoma Habitat – to share thoughts on the program, what was missing, and what could be improved. Expressed by all was the importance of having housing available for AmeriCorps service members, whose modest living stipend does not allow them to afford market rate rental housing. Many stated that free or heavily subsidized housing was the deciding factor in where they served. Thanks to a partnership with Trinity Lutheran Church in Parkland, Tacoma Habitat has been able to offer free housing to AmeriCorps members since 2022.

Smith was thrilled to learn that about 40% of AmeriCorps members serving with Tacoma Habitat have gone on to employment with the affiliate, and that AmeriCorps members across the board have used their service terms to advance professional training, further their education and build a foundation of service that carries through the rest of their lives.

The tour concluded with Smith presenting AmeriCorps CEO Challenge Coins to all nine members as well as the high honor of the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Construction Projects Manager, Nick Jackson, for his lifetime AmeriCorps service totaling well over 5,000 hours.