AmeriCorps Helps Clean [& Restore] Area 
By AMANDA McELFRESH
amcelfresh@theadvertiser.com

Both current and former local AmeriCorps volunteers showed up Saturday [at the Lafayette Parish Bayou Vermilion District] near Vermilionville for a cleanup [and river restoration] day in honor of the service organization's 10th anniversary.

Judd Jeansonne, UL AmeriCorps director, said the group invited back about 200 former participants for a reunion and day of service. Jeansonne said he expected about 100 alumni at the event. In addition to meeting with old friends and volunteers, Jeansonne said current and former volunteers would be planting trees along the Vermilion River.

AmeriCorps is a national service organization in which volunteers participate in activities to improve their communities. Projects deal with the environment, education and housing, among other areas.

Jeansonne said one of the main aspects of the UL AmeriCorps chapter is education and tutoring. The local chapter has teamed with Lafayette public schools and the Lafayette Housing Authority to provide tutoring and other educational services to students. Jeansonne said AmeriCorps also has teamed with organizations, such as Christmas in April and Habitat for Humanity. "We partner with any nonprofit to meet basic human needs," Jeansonne said.

As members of the organization look toward the future, Jeansonne said they are hoping to expand their tutoring program and continue partnerships with nonprofit organizations.

Current UL AmeriCorps members said they gain personal satisfaction from performing service activities. Jenna Lachney, a UL student, said she has only been involved with AmeriCorps since January, but she enjoys being able to work with tutoring projects, especially since she is an education major. "It's something worthwhile," Lachney said. "I feel like it's rewarding."

Megan Landry, another UL student who has been involved with AmeriCorps since last year, said she first heard of the organization through a friend, but also became involved because she felt the work would be satisfying. "Providing service is one of the things I like to do," Landry said. "And I'm also an education major, so it helps me become involved with that as well."

For more information on the UL AmeriCorps chapter, call 262-1360 or visit its Web site at www.AmeriCorps.louisiana.edu.