In this episode of the AmeriCorps Connections Podcast, host Nicki Fiocco sits down with Luis Sierra Moncion, a City Year alum whose service year brought him full circle—back to his own high school in Miami.

Luis shares how his City Year experience helped cement his identity as a community member, leader, and advocate, and how national service became the foundation for a career in higher education, civic engagement, and student leadership. From mentoring students at his alma mater to now serving as Deputy Director of the Center for Social Concern at Johns Hopkins University, Luis reflects on the long-term ripple effects of service.

This conversation explores:

• Serving in your hometown—and what that means for identity and belonging
• The professional and leadership development built into AmeriCorps service
• Trust-building, relationship-centered service, and showing up with humility
• Why national service matters for workforce development and democracy
• How service plants seeds that continue to grow long after the year ends

🎧 Whether you’re a current AmeriCorps or City Year member, an alum, or someone considering a year of service, this episode is a powerful reminder that the service ends—but the mission doesn’t.

What happens when you say yes to service — and keep saying yes?

In this powerful and deeply human episode of the AmeriCorps Connections Podcast, host Nicki Fiocco sits down with Alex Schwartz, an AmeriCorps alum whose journey spans nearly every corner of national service: AmeriCorps NCCC, State & National, VISTA — and now AmeriCorps staff.

Alex shares the story that changed everything — a single moment during disaster recovery after the Camp Fire in California, when helping a survivor receive two pairs of donated pants revealed the true impact of service. From building homes in Montana, responding to wildfires in California and Maui, restoring prairies in Minnesota, and strengthening disaster preparedness with the Red Cross, Alex reflects on how
AmeriCorps gave him purpose, perspective, passion, and community.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:
• How AmeriCorps helps people and the people who help people
• Why service changes how you see the world — and yourself
• The power of disaster response and community resilience
• How AmeriCorps service can shape a lifelong career and calling
• Why we can’t afford to lose national service

If you’ve ever wondered what AmeriCorps really looks like in action — or how service can become a way of life — this episode is for you.

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🎥Watch on YouTube @AmeriCorpsConnections

• Join States for Service
  
  
• Americas Service Commissions - National Service Advocacy Academy

• Share your AmeriCorps story: nicki@americorpsconnections.com

What does service look like after retirement—and why is it more important than ever?

In this powerful episode of the AmeriCorps Connections Podcast, host Nicki Fiocco sits down with Sarah, an AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Program Manager in Minnesota, and Carolyn, a 73-year-old AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer whose life—and community—has been transformed through service.

Together, they share an inspiring, real-life look at how AmeriCorps Seniors programs are tackling some of today’s most urgent challenges:
✔️ social isolation and loneliness
✔️ fall prevention and healthy aging
✔️ rural access to community-based services
✔️ purpose and belonging after retirement

Carolyn’s journey—from a longtime university executive assistant to a dynamic volunteer leader running packed exercise classes twice a week—shows what happens when experience, courage, and community come together. Through the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) and the evidence-based Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) program, she and her fellow volunteers are helping older adults stay strong, connected, and independent—while finding deep fulfillment themselves.

Sarah pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build sustainable, data-driven AmeriCorps Seniors programs, and why investing in older adults as leaders isn’t just smart—it’s essential.

This episode is a reminder that:
✨ service doesn’t end with retirement
✨ aging is not about slowing down—it’s about staying engaged
✨ AmeriCorps Seniors is building bridges across generations

If you care about national service, healthy aging, community connection, or the future of AmeriCorps, this conversation will move you—and might just inspire your next chapter. AmeriCorps runs the risk of being cut by the Federal Government!!!! Get involved!

👉 Subscribe, share, and help keep these stories of service alive.
Because the service may end—but the mission doesn’t

💡 Learn More / Get Involved:
👉 Join States for Service
👉 Americas Service Commissions - National Service Advocacy Academy

👉 Listen to more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@americorpsconnections/playlists

📬 Interested in sharing your AmeriCorps story?
Email Nicki Fiocco at nicki@americorpsconnections.com

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