CNCS leadership visits Florida disaster relief operations

By: Kristina Luotto

This week, leadership from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) came to visit & tour our disaster relief operations in Southwest Florida. The CNCS Senior Leaders were Chester Spellman, AmeriCorps State and National Director; Deborah Cox Roush, Senior Corps Director; and Gina Cross, Acting AmeriCorps NCCC Director. Chester and Deborah are both new to their positions, so this visit to SW Florida was their first orientation to the AmeriCorps Disaster Response Teams, services, structures, and programs.

Here in SW Florida, the CNCS leadership saw our AmeriCorps members running a command staff meeting and visited crews working in the field. After a tour of field operations, the CNCS leadership toured our base camp and ate dinner with us in our dining hall.

Being able to share our disaster relief and recovery experiences with senior AmeriCorps leadership was an incredible experience. I came away from the experience feeling proud and inspired to continue with national service. Thanks for making the trip down to SW Florida, Chester, Debbie, and Gina!