Stories from the Field

  • Pfeifer Camp AmeriCorps Counselor with campers in front of Pfeifer Camp Garden shed.

    97 Years and Counting: Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp on Building Service, Growth, and Community

    Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp, established in 1929, offers a transformative outdoor experience for Arkansas youth, ages 9–14. With a commitment to accessibility, the camp provides free programs that foster personal growth and community. AmeriCorps members enhance this mission, developing leadership skills while mentoring campers, thereby creating lasting impacts on both groups.

  • New Youth Mental Health Initiative Launches Across Arkansas

    Arkansas is launching the Youth Mental Health Corps to expand support for young people, strengthen communities, and build a dedicated mental health workforce.

  • Conservation crew members holding chainsaws, ready to work!

    How Tourism Powers Arkansas: Fueling the Economy and Sustaining the Natural State’s Beauty

    Arkansas’s natural beauty, with over 50 state parks, is vital for tourism and outdoor recreation, significantly boosting the economy with $7.3 billion contribution to GDP and 68,000 jobs in 2023. Diverse regional activities enhance economic opportunities and conservation efforts, creating a sustainable cycle that supports businesses and environmental stewardship throughout the state.

  • More Than Awareness: Supporting Youth Mental Health Through Action

    Launching in August 2026, the Youth Mental Health Corps is expanding support for Arkansas youth while creating career pathways for young adults to serve, train, and lead.

  • Make entire image smaller in canvas

    Building Tomorrow’s Workforce: How AmeriCorps Develops the Skills That Last a Lifetime

    Building Tomorrow’s Workforce: How AmeriCorps Develops the Skills That Last a Lifetime One of the most defining elements of AmeriCorps service is the development of lifelong, durable skills, which are long-term, transferable skills that are not job-specific but are valuable across all workplaces and roles. These are the kind of skills that stay with members…

  • AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program Volunteer Interviews: Part Three

    AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program Volunteer Interviews: Part Three Part 3: Watonna Hughes Volunteer Interview 1)     What inspired you to become a Senior Companion Volunteer? When my mother got sick, she had Alzheimer’s. I learned how to deal with Alzheimer’s because I was the one who took care of her. She begged me not to ever…

  • AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program Volunteer Interviews: Part Two

    AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program Volunteer Interviews: Part Two Part 2: Kathryn Wooten and Maxine Brewer Volunteer Interviews 1)      What inspired you to become a Senior Companion Volunteer? Kathryn: Ms. Reda McConnell had a lot to do with that. She had been asking me frequently, and we were friends. She said Kathryn, this is for YOU!…

  • AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program Interviews: Part One

    AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program Interviews: Part One Back in October 2025, Engage Arkansas connected with the Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas to gather volunteer testimonials from their AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program. In honor of Older Americans Month, we’re excited to share these stories in a three-part series that highlights the impact of…

  • Turning Service into Opportunity: AmeriCorps Education Awards, Schools of National Service, and the Future of Public Leadership

    Turning Service into Opportunity: AmeriCorps Education Awards, Schools of National Service, and the Future of Public Leadership Often, public service is framed as a sacrifice; however, AmeriCorps and similar programs are redefining it as an investment in America’s future. At the center of this shift in focus is the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which not…

  • Strengthening Communities: How UAFS’ Center for Nonprofits Is Transforming the River Valley

    Strengthening Communities: How UAFS’ Center for Nonprofits Is Transforming the River Valley In today’s increasingly complex and resource-constrained environment, nonprofit organizations are doing more than ever before, often with limited funding, staffing, and institutional support. As a result, spaces and organizations that provide nonprofits with connections, professional development, and practical tools for sustainability are not…