Christian Soto grew up in a small Texas community. AmeriCorps provided the opportunity to expand his understanding of the people, cultures, and institutions that bring us together.
His first service year took him to Billings, Montana. Through the city’s Division of Community Development, Christian focused on serving veterans and military families in the area. This included helping veterans access the benefits and services available to them, organizing a trauma informed symposium, assisting a suicide prevention coalition organized through the mayor’s office, and fundraising for a veterans service organization. The experience sparked an interest in public health and health policy that continues today.
Christian’s second service year took him to Boston, Massachusetts, to serve at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. In serving a primarily immigrant and Spanish speaking community, Christian supported an afterschool and summer program focused on physical education and nutrition, prepared lesson plans for the East Boston Youth Council, and provided case management to families seeking to find affordable health programs and initiatives in the greater Boston area.
His final service year took him north to Buffalo, New York. By this point, multiple service years had instilled a level of understanding and expertise that prepared him to help other AmeriCorps members thrive. As an AmeriCorps VISTA leader with the City of Buffalo - Division of Citizen Services, Christian’s primary task was to assist and serve as a conduit between the AmeriCorps members hosted throughout various government agencies and their supervisors.
Following his final service year, Christian took the next step to marry his interests in public health with addressing systemic challenges facing underserved communities. After completing his Juris Doctor at the University of Buffalo, Christian found his current role an Excelsior Fellow with the New York State Department of Health’s Division of Legal Affairs.
“I want to have a career which is split between public health, law, and policy; one where I can engage and earn the trust of diverse populations and stakeholders. AmeriCorps taught me that building the necessary competencies is an active process forged equally in theory and in practice. One must be willing to step into the practical effects of policies and engage the affected populations to truly understand and develop solutions.”
Beyond his day job as an attorney, Christian continues to deepen his public health expertise through volunteering with the American Red Cross, and serving as an active member of the American Public Health Association and the Albany County Medical Reserves Unit. He is also a member of the Hispanic National Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association.
“During my service with AmeriCorps, I learned the importance of coalition-building and I have continued to expand my horizons through participation in multiple organizations and continued learning.”
About the Service Year Alums Awards
The Service Year Alums Awards recognize outstanding alums across the national service community for their contributions during their service years and beyond. This diverse network is composed of AmeriCorps Alums, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and alums from various service year programs across the country.
In 2025, the Service Year Alums Awards are all about celebrating this life-changing experience, recognizing alums who embraced the lessons, skills, and connections gained during their service year to pursue meaningful careers and positively impact their communities.