Stories from the Field

  • Utilizing the Power of Connection Before Crisis with AR Teen Connect

    AR Teen Connect is a peer-to-peer support initiative by the Arkansas Crisis Center designed to assist teens by providing a listening ear for daily challenges. It aims to foster connections among youth, enhancing their emotional well-being and resilience. By volunteering, teens develop essential skills while making a positive impact in their communities.

  • The Work Unseen: Inside Arkansas Emergency Management & Disaster Readiness Initiatives

    The Work Unseen: Inside Arkansas Emergency Management & Disaster Readiness Initiatives Most Arkansans think about emergency management when a tornado touches down, floodwaters rise, or severe weather fills our social media feeds. What many do not see is the work happening long before a disaster ever makes headlines. For the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management…

  • Engage Arkansas’s Youth Advisory Council to Co-Create 2027 Youth Mental Health Summit

    Engage Arkansas is launching the 2027 Youth Mental Health Summit to elevate youth voices and foster connections between young people and community leaders. A Youth Advisory Council of 25 members will be established to collaborate on addressing mental health challenges, empowering Arkansas youth aged 16-24 to shape solutions. Applications close on October 9, 2026.

  • Amanda Richardson Nipper Recognized as Outstanding Commissioner at ASC Innovation & Leadership Awards

    On September 15, Amanda Richardson Nipper was recognized as a 2026 Outstanding Commissioner by America’s Service Commissions for her decade-long leadership in enhancing civic engagement in Arkansas. Her efforts have connected national service with career pathways, demonstrating the lasting impact of volunteerism on communities and future leadership in the state.

  • Building Tomorrow’s Leaders: Jonesboro’s Mayor’s Youth Advancement Council Is Redefining Youth Engagement

    The Mayor’s Youth Advancement Council (MYAC) in Jonesboro is an innovative model for youth engagement, allowing high school students a direct role in municipal governance. Established in 2021, MYAC promotes community service and civic leadership through diverse representation and active projects, earning the title of Volunteer Community of the Year.

  • How Arkansas Tech is Strengthening Arkansas Communities Through Emergency Preparedness Education

    Arkansas Tech University is enhancing community emergency preparedness through innovative educational programs. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Youth Preparedness Camp empower students to learn essential skills like disaster response and safety. Participants become active problem-solvers, spreading knowledge and resilience beyond the classroom into their communities.

  • Serving While Learning: How Southern Arkansas University are Making a Difference in Magnolia

    Southern Arkansas University students are positively impacting their community through the AmeriCorps initiative, Saddle Up and Serve. This program allows students to engage in various service activities, including tutoring and sustainability efforts. By serving while learning, they gain practical experience, build relationships, and enhance their professional development, fostering leadership and community support.

  • How Arkansas Students are Making Multi-Million-Dollar Impact Through Community Service

    Arkansas students are making a significant impact through community service, driven by the LEARNS Act, which mandates 75 service hours for graduation from 2027. This initiative connects classroom learning with civic engagement, enhances student involvement, and supports local nonprofits. Platforms like Launch for Students help track hours and recognize achievements, ultimately benefiting communities statewide.

  • Building a Foundation for Future Educators: How Smart Start Grows Local Leaders Through Service

    Smart Start, an initiative by the Southeast Arkansas Education Cooperative, places AmeriCorps members in schools to enhance educational support and develop future educators in rural Arkansas. This program fosters professional growth through hands-on experience and community engagement, ultimately nurturing a commitment to service and strengthening local educational foundations.

  • Improving Access to Mental Health Care: The Youth Mental Health Corps in Rural Arkansas

    The Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC) initiative in Arkansas aims to address mental health professional shortages in rural areas, particularly for young people facing behavioral health issues. By training AmeriCorps members as peer mentors, YMHC enhances access to services while fostering pathways into behavioral health careers, ultimately strengthening community support systems.