568. Tackling Equity + Unleashing the Power of Volunteers - Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps
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Overview
Meet Michael. He has dedicated his career to social justice by reducing barriers and expanding opportunity for children and families in underserved communities, like those where he grew up. He’s the CEO of AmeriCorps, the federal agency that connects people and organizations through service and volunteering to tackle the nation's most pressing challenges, with over 200,000 AmeriCorps members serving in 40,000 locations across the United States. Michael is sharing his incredible personal journey and the story of AmeriCorps’ 30-year legacy of transforming lives and communities💪Tune in to celebrate the power of volunteerism with us🎉
💡 Learn
About AmeriCorps’ 30 years of impact
How AmeriCorps meets urgent needs
The Importance of national service + volunteerism
Today's Guest
Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps
“People closest to the problem, closest to the pain, have to be closest to the power.”
Episode Transcript
Download Full Episode Transcript Here
Episode Highlights
Michael’s story and journey to where he is today (:00)
Overview + history of AmeriCorps (9:00)
How Americorps is meeting urgent needs (12:00)
Equity and inclusion in AmeriCorps (17:25)
The transformative power of service (21:50)
A powerful moment of philanthropy in Michael’s life (27:30)
Michael’s One Good Thing: People closest to the pain have to be closest to the power. (31:50)
How to connect with Michael and AmeriCorps (36:20)
Powerful Quotes
"I grew up in this community that didn't have a lot of financial resources, but just had love and abundance." -Michael
“What we had was a community that stuck together, that took care of one another, that would give you their last dime.” -Michael
“We’re 30, but our legacy is so much older.” -Michael
“When I think about the value proposition of AmeriCorps, it's definitely the impact that they're having today, but maybe even more the impact that they're going to have for decades to come.” -Michael
“When the going gets tough, Americans don't look inward. We look outward and really believe in this idea that our neighbor's children are all of our children.” -Michael
“The beauty of AmeriCorps is we aren't stale or stagnant. We evolve with the moment.
-Michael
"People closest to the problem, closest to the pain, have to be closest to the power." -Michael
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