2025 Alums Awardees
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.
A service year is an extraordinary opportunity that has the potential to transform your life. For many service year alums, the experience is a launch pad - to a new community, a new set of skills and interests, and new personal and professional aspirations.
Each awardee was asked to reflect on their service year and identify the experiences, learning, and connections that enabled them to make the leap to what came next in their post-service professional and service journey. In doing so, they demonstrated how their year of service provided a platform to continued impact and achievement.
As an AmeriCorps member with JusticeCorps, Lilit helped self-represented litigants at a court-based self-help center in her home state. Working alongside licensed attorneys, Lilit assisted neighbors from low socioeconomic communities - including domestic violence survivors, the elderly, and tenants facing uninhabitable living conditions - navigate complex legal barriers and processes. As a current law student, Lilit draws upon her service year in the classroom and as a volunteer at a local legal aid clinic.
Multiple service years with Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley. expanded Logan Beyer’s understanding of the determinants of health, especially the environmental factors that can impact a young child’s mental, physical, and socio-emotional well being. Logan continues her service today as a student at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She also serves as the Executive Chair of Advocacy for the AAP Section on Pediatric Trainees; a Resident Tutor at Harvard College’s Mather House; a running coach for high school students with and without disabilities; and a play space leader for unhoused children living in shelters.
Jordan Bohlen’s service year with the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City focused on helping newly arrived refugees and other vulnerable populations find safe, healthy, and affordable housing. Today, Jordan works for UServeUtah, the state service commission, where she helps nonprofits across the state implement impactful service year programs. Jordan also remains an active volunteer with organizations supporting refugees and immigrants find employment and tell their story.
Myles Cramer served with College Mentors for Kids as a Data & Evaluation VISTA, where he applied his background in mathematics to help colleagues track their impact in the classroom. Myles served two additional service terms through Conservation Legacy as an Acoustic Assistant, where he helped preserve the natural soundscape of Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Through his varied service year experiences, Myles gained skills and insights that support him today in start-up environments at the intersection of technology and governance.
Brendan Csaposs is a three-time AmeriCorps Alum and lifelong educator. Service years through Jumpstart, Teach for America, and City Year solidified Brendan’s desire to help students and teachers succeed, a mission he continues today as a global education consultant based in Nairobi, Kenya. Brendan’s commitment to his students is rooted in a belief that everyone can achieve their goals.
As a fifth generation farmer, Don Holly left his rural hometown to help communities in Jamaica adopt modern and sustainable agricultural practices. Building upon his lifelong upbringing in farming, Don’s Peace Corps service provided him a greater understanding of community engagement and economic development. He employs these skills today as an Agricultural Biofuels Program Analyst at the Environmental Protection Agency.
Doria Josma is a two-time AmeriCorps Alum. Through Public Allies New York, Doria helped young adults succeed in the classroom and connected them to pre-professional and post-secondary opportunities. An additional service year as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Reading Partners further developed her understanding of organizational development - expertise she applies today as both a fundraising specialist for a local nonprofit and as the founder of her own social impact consultancy in New York City.
As a FoodCorps Service Member with Wellness in Schools, Cady Molloy applied her dual passions for food and education to serve students in New York City Public Schools. During her service year, Cady helped introduce more fresh and nutrition-rich ingredients in school cooking, and connected students to the kitchen through cafeteria taste tests and classroom activities. Cady continues her service today as Executive Chef for a school district in Colorado. In recognition of her efforts, the district recently received the Innovation in Nutrition Education Award from the US Drug Administration.
Zachary Schreckenberger served as a Patient Navigator with the National Health Corps at a high-volume pediatric vision clinic. During his service year, he provided free comprehensive vision care for children living in the South Side of Chicago. As a student at the University of Toledo College of Medicine, Zachary served on the board of a student-run health clinic, provided peer support as a tutor, and volunteered with the American Medical Association’s Medical Student Section Committee on LGBTQ+ Affairs. Zachary graduated from medical school in spring 2025 and returned to Chicago to begin his residency in pediatric care.
Keith Smith is an AmeriCorps Alum and veteran of the United States Navy. More than 50 years after his service in Vietnam, Keith found a new sense of purpose by supporting his fellow veterans. Through Operation: Veteran Connect, Keith helped veterans access their government-provided benefits and resources, access transportation to job interviews, and furnish their living spaces at a transitional housing facility. He continues to serve his Florida community as a volunteer, including helping with disaster relief efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Christian Soto is a three-time AmeriCorps Alum. Through service years in Montana, Massachusetts, and New York, Christian developed an interest in public health and policy. As an Excelsior Fellow with the New York State Department of Health Division’s Legal Affairs, Christian brings a unique perspective to his work, including an understanding of the varied and complex issues affecting local community members. He also serves as a volunteer with the American Red Cross and is an active member of the American Public Health Association and the Albany County Medical Reserves Unit.
About Service Year Alliance
Service Year Alliance is working to make a year of paid, full-time service — a service year — a common expectation and opportunity for all young Americans. We envision a future in which national service is an integral part of growing up in America, with one million young people serving their communities each year. To make this vision a reality, we partner with states, agencies, and local organizations to expand the number of service year opportunities through new models and funding sources. To enhance the corps member and alumni experience, we develop partnerships to build and scale key national service innovations to demonstrate how service transforms lives. At the core of our work is a commitment to raising up the voices and experiences of young people, corps members, and alumni.
About the Service Year Alums Awards
The Service Year Alums Awards celebrate alums across the national service community for their contributions during their service years and beyond. These awards are an opportunity to showcase alums’ contributions through service, highlight the positive impacts they’ve made, and inspire future generations of service year members. For their achievements, award recipients received a $1,000 award prize.
Submissions are closed for 2025. Check back soon for details about the 2026 awards program.
The awards are open to anyone who has completed a service year. There are no age restrictions or geographical limitations.
In general, a service year is defined as a paid opportunity to develop real-world workplace skills and civic engagement through hands-on service. Service years address unmet community needs through direct service or indirect “capacity building” for at least 32 hours per week over the course of 9-24 months total. All AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and YouthBuild positions are considered service years.
Have questions about the Service Year Alums Awards? Whether you're curious about eligibility, the submission process, or what kinds of narratives we're looking for, we’ve got you covered! Head over to our FAQs page to find all the answers you need to ensure your application shines here.
2024 Service Year Alum Award Winners
The Service Year Alums Awards recognize and celebrate 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, YouthBuild alums, and alums from various service year programs across the country.
In 2024, the awards highlight service year alums successful in bridging divides across lines of difference and fostering positive change in their communities.
Bridging Divides - coming together across divides to listen and understand each other, to find common ground, build relationships, and to make collaboration the norm.
Each awardee was asked to reflect on their service year and identify the learning and experiences that enabled them to come together across divides, including age, race and ethnicity, identity, and more. In doing so, each awardee demonstrated how their service year helped them find common ground, build relationships, and collaborate.
Kristian served in the Appalachian Conservation Corps, an AmeriCorps program at the C&O Canal in Western Maryland. As an AmeriCorps member, his goal was to bridge cultural and linguistic divides between the park and local Latino communities. By creating bilingual boat tours and culturally relevant activities, Kristian connected Latino families with the park’s history, fostered inclusion and a sense of belonging, and enriched the park’s engagement with a broader audience. This approach not only encouraged a more diverse visitor base but also enhanced the park’s role as a shared space for all.
As an AmeriCorps member at a high school in Buffalo, New York, Chris helped enhance LGBTQ+ inclusion and understanding within the school community. He connected across generations and identities through the creation of a Gender and Sexuality Club and a Safe Zone Program. His service enabled students to engage directly with staff, nominate them for Safe Zone recognition, and build relationships. Through these initiatives, Chris fostered mutual respect and collaboration, ensuring that students and teachers felt heard and supported in their shared goal of inclusivity.
Nemanja helped address cultural and language differences as an AmeriCorps member with City Year Chicago and Reading Partners Seattle. In South Chicago, he worked with a diverse student body, and while in South Seattle, he tackled language barriers for East African families. By organizing bilingual literacy events and distributing Tigrinya-English books and activities, Nemanja connected English-speaking educators with Tigrinya-speaking families to foster a more inclusive and supportive educational environment. This approach not only facilitated cultural exchange and strengthened relationships but also significantly improved academic outcomes, promoted inclusivity, and enhanced community cohesion.
As an AmeriCorps member in northwest Indiana, Jada helped enhance mental health awareness and suicide prevention across a range of initiatives, including a unique focus on educating community members and law enforcement officers. Through specialized training sessions that brought together law enforcement and community members, she facilitated understanding and collaboration, demonstrating how active listening and finding common ground can unite varied perspectives to address mental health needs.
LaTasha served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at the Westerville Food Pantry, Central Community House, and US Together in Ohio. At the Westerville Food Pantry, she facilitated discreet food access for students and expanded services to include clothing. At Central Community House, she supported small businesses and homeowners, enhancing community resilience. With US Together, she connected low-income immigrants to urban farming and educational resources. Through these roles, LaTasha bridged divides by creating accessible support systems, fostering community engagement, and empowering diverse populations to thrive.
Karen's service at a children’s dental health program in Uliastai, Mongolia, was a testament to the transformative power of empathy and mutual respect. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, she not only addressed urgent dental needs but also bridged cultural and logistical divides. Karen's work with local educators, community leaders, and international volunteers was a clear demonstration of how empathy and mutual respect can transform barriers into opportunities for shared success. This approach brought together a diverse group to deliver crucial care to over 2,100 children.
Shelly served at Red Lake Nation College in northern Minnesota. As an AmeriCorps Tribal VISTA member, she aimed to build community capacity and promote cultural understanding. Along the way, she navigated the complexities of working within tribal contexts, learned to bridge cultural divides by deeply listening, respecting traditions, and successfully engaging both Native and non-Native community members through inclusive and culturally responsive programs.
Julia served at SBP Puerto Rico in San Juan. As an AmeriCorps member, her goal was to lead disaster relief and home reconstruction efforts while bridging divides between English-speaking volunteers and Spanish-speaking homeowners. Along the way, she discovered that by offering salsa dance lessons, she could unite diverse groups—teenagers, veterans, and corporate volunteer teams—with different backgrounds and experiences. This cultural exchange not only fostered understanding and connection but also created a sense of unity, making participants feel included in a larger community.
Reed served with AmeriCorps NCCC at the Pacific Region Campus in Sacramento and later with the California Overdose Prevention Network as an Overdose Prevention Coordinator VISTA. His goal as a VISTA was to tackle the urgent need for effective overdose prevention and support for individuals battling substance use disorders. Reed identified a critical gap: a disconnect between those with firsthand experience of substance use and healthcare providers. He addressed this by openly sharing his journey, which bridged the gap between personal struggles and professional care. This approach transformed perspectives, fostering genuine empathy and collaboration across diverse beliefs and ultimately driving more compassionate, informed community responses.
As an AmeriCorps member at the San Francisco ACCESS Center and the Marin County Public Defender’s Office, Alexia helped individuals navigate legal and reentry challenges. She bridged divides by actively listening to clients' stories, validating their emotional experiences, and providing tailored compassionate support. Her deep empathy allowed her to respect their unique perspectives and address their needs with understanding, thereby facilitating meaningful connections and collaboration. Her approach involved understanding clients’ anxieties and offering practical help, creating a supportive bridge between their past hardships and their journey toward a better future.
Christina served at AmeriCorps in Cle Elum, Washington. At the time, the community was reeling from the devastation caused by the Taylor Bridge and Table Mountain Complex Fires. Her service year experience helped restore the damaged environment. Along the way, she bridged divides by bringing together residents with differing opinions on how to rebuild—some wanted immediate reconstruction, others focused on long-term environmental recovery. Christina also led the establishment of a military memorial, honoring service members and further uniting the community. She listened to each perspective, fostering mutual respect and collaboration, and facilitated a shared vision for recovery.
As an AmeriCorps member at Pontiac High School and the International Technological Academy, Magda helped students with college applications and financial aid while addressing their specific needs. She bridged divides by actively listening to students’ unique challenges—such as those faced by first-generation college students and English language learners—and collaborating with ESL staff to overcome language barriers. Magda organized initiatives like the district’s first-generation week and HBCU awareness month, bringing students, staff, and the broader community together.
About the Service Year Alums Awards
The Service Year Alums Awards celebrate alums across the national service community for their contributions during their service years and beyond. These awards are an opportunity to showcase alums’ contributions through service, highlight the positive impacts they’ve made, and inspire future generations of service year members. For their achievements, award recipients received a $1,000 award prize, as well as recognition at a virtual awards ceremony.
Submissions are closed for 2024. Check back soon for details about the 2025 awards program.
The awards are open to anyone who has completed a service year. There are no age restrictions or geographical limitations. Entries are reviewed by Service Year Alliance staff, service year alums, and other service year champions.
In general, a service year is defined as a paid opportunity to develop real-world workplace skills and civic engagement through hands-on service. Service years address unmet community needs through direct service or indirect “capacity building” for at least 32 hours per week over the course of 9-24 months total. All AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and YouthBuild positions are considered service years. If you have questions about whether your program qualifies, view Service Year Alliance’s Certification Criteria for service year programs.
Have questions about the Service Year Alums Awards? Whether you're curious about eligibility, the submission process, or what kinds of narratives we're looking for, we’ve got you covered! Head over to our FAQs page to find all the answers you need to ensure your application shines here.
Kenvin's Story | His service year put him on a pathway to college
We’re thrilled to be able to share the story of Kenvin Lacayo, who took his future into his own hands and seized an opportunity to transform his life.
Kenvin was unsure of his options after high school. Fortunately, he was introduced to a service year at The Literacy Lab’s Leading Men Fellowship, an experience that shaped his future. His service year allowed him to help others and make an impact in his community — all while paving a pathway to higher education.
Read moreXavier's Story | He found a sense of direction through a service year
We’re thrilled to be able to share the story of Xavier Jennings, who took his future into his own hands and seized an opportunity to transform his life.
Xavier had faced an uncertain future, going to six different high schools before he dropped out. Fortunately, he was introduced to a service year at Mile High Youth Corps’ YouthBuild, an experience that shaped his future. His service year allowed him to help others and make an impact in his community — all while paving a pathway to higher education.
Read moreCorey's Story | A service year before medical school with Public Allies to gain real-world experience.
Austin's Story | Austin found his passion through his service year
“Doing a service year with Teach for America changed my trajectory and got me involved in education, which I will be involved in for the rest of my life.”
Read moreVIDEO: Journey to Becoming a Community Leader | Find out how Germain transformed his life with a service year
“I was involved in an altercation that led me to be put in juvenile hall. When I got out, I told myself I needed to make a change...My service year with Youth Conservation Corps became the vehicle to transform my life."
Read moreMaisha's Story | She became a leader through her service year
“What I learned in that [service year]...is that you are an incredible ripple in this big pool that is the world around you. And all you have to do is show up.”
Read more