Volo resident pledges 10 months of service with FEMA Corps

Paulina Snopek of Volo is one of 160 men and women who pledged to perform 10 months of national service as part of the Atlantic Region's 20th Class of the National Civilian Community Corps, as a member of FEMA Corps.

As a Corps member, Snopek has spent six months getting things done for America while strengthening communities and developing her leadership. Snopek and her team have served with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the administration of emergency management and long term recovery activities.

"My aunt works for FEMA in Denver, Colo., and told me about the position," Snopek said. "After researching it further, I was super excited to apply. I knew this opportunity would open so many doors for me and help me better understand what I wanted to do once I graduated from college."

After her 10-month stint, Snopek will graduate May 22 with an education award of $5,550, which can be used to continue education or pay back student loans.

"I've always had a passion to volunteer, and knowing that I'm making a difference in someone else's life, not only makes me proud, but makes me want to pursue it further. I also have an interest in working for FEMA someday, so being a part of this program is an awesome opportunity to familiarize myself with it," Snopek said.

The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps and its FEMA Corps units engage 2,800 young Americans in a full-time, 10-month commitment to service each year.

AmeriCorps NCCC members address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, and urban and rural development. FEMA Corps members are solely dedicated to disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery work.

The programs are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. CNCS is the federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the president's national call to service initiative, United We Serve.

For details, visit NationalService.gov.