They’re Back!

United Way is excited to, once again, be hosting a team of 11 young volunteers from the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). Team Water 4 will be with us for eight weeks (January 11 through March 5), providing a big boost to our local VITA efforts!

AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, team-based residential program for men and women age 18–24. Team Water 4 is based out of the NCCC Southwest Region Campus in Denver. The teams’ 11 members hail from across the United States, including California, Arizona, New Hampshire, Illinois, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York and Texas.

In keeping with their mission of strengthening communities through direct, team-based service, the team will primarily be staffing the mobile VITA site and reaching out to some of the hardest-to-contact populations in Pima County. They will be filing taxes at work sites, residential facilities for the elderly and/or handicapped, refugee centers, as well as remote rural areas of the county. They will also connect families and individuals to other financial stability resources (public benefits, financial education, banking, workforce development opportunities). Last year’s NCCC team prepared more than 500 returns and put $781,829 in federal refunds and credits back in the pockets of Pima County residents.

Welcome to Tucson, Team Water 4!

Meet the NCCC’s!

Each team member was asked to share their thoughts about volunteering and what it means to LIVE UNITED. Meet Ashley!

Ashley (Team Leader)
Hometown: San Diego, CA

1. What does LIVE UNITED mean to you?
I think that LIVE UNITED means working together for the common good.

2. What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about service in all aspects: health, animals, kids and the environment.

3. When did you start volunteering and/or giving back to your community?
I have been volunteering since I was very young. My parents were very involved in service while I was growing up.

4. How are you involved in the community?
I am involved by volunteering with AmeriCorps NCCC for the past year and a half.

5. What have you learned from volunteering and being a part of your community?
I have learned that I want to continue volunteering for the rest of my life.

6. What community issues are you most concerned about?
I am very concerned about the environment, health and education.

7. Why do you think it is important to give back to your community?
“Because if not you, then whom?” ~ Team Water 4 member Dave Zack

8. Do you have any particular memory from giving back to the community or volunteering?
I was recently sent to America Samoa with the Red Cross to help with the disaster efforts there. It was a surreal experience and it will stay with me forever.