“I was hooked. I realized community service and working in my community were what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

For Mitzi Coles, a fourth-term AmeriCorps member, those words capture the heart of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program.

 

What began 11 years ago as a STEM tutoring initiative has evolved into a dynamic force for Southern Virginia – continually adapting to meet community needs while opening doors for those who serve.

This year, the program is doing more than ever.

Thirty-six members are embedded in classrooms, neighborhoods and community organizations. They’re tutoring fourth- and fifth-graders, leading health workshops and building a pipeline of youth mental health professionals.

It’s a model that strengthens schools, supports families and creates career pathways—all through the power of service.

“There is a strong correlation between service and success. Opportunities provided through Dan River Year AmeriCorps fulfill unmet needs throughout the Southern Virginia region. This is real economic transformation that impacts real people in real time.” – John H. Hughes, IV, Ed.D., Executive Vice President, Operations

From STEM to Whole-Community Support

When the program launched, its focus was simple: expand STEM education. But its audience was broad as members worked with students and adult learners, providing a mix of tutoring and community events.

However, as educators identified literacy gaps, the program shifted its focus to address these needs.

“We fine-tuned that focus and age group to try to catch some of the gaps sooner,” said Dana Silicki, Director of STEM, Service and Lifelong Learning at IALR.

Today, tutoring roles center on fourth and fifth grade, complemented by out-of-school support for elementary and middle school students. Tutoring focuses on both literacy and STEM education.

The program staff’s willingness to pivot has led to this year’s continued evolution, the addition of Community Health Education and Youth Mental Health alongside STEM and literacy.

“We’re willing to change the focus based on the needs of the community,” Silicki said. “It’s not just about the benefits this program can provide to the community, but it’s also about serving our AmeriCorps members to help them prepare for future careers.”

AmeriCorps By the Numbers

36
Total Members
Includes 29 local and 7 remote
21
Tutors
Working in schools and out-of-school sites
7
Community Health Educators
Providing workshops and other health education outreach
8
Youth Mental Health Specialists
Working directly in the schools and working towards certifications

Community Health Education: Meeting People Where They Are

For Tamara Plummer, a second-term member and team lead for community health educators, the work is personal.

A former substitute teacher with Pittsylvania County Schools, Plummer first became a regional AmeriCorps service member in 2024.

“I noticed that a lot of the children and the parents that I worked with were suffering from chronic health conditions,” she said.

Her team hosts workshops on topics such as managing chronic illness, preventing falls and reducing sugar intake. They assemble health kits, partner with local organizations and even train toward Community Health Worker (CHW) certification.

“There’s a lot of different success stories,” Plummer said. “It’s usually the small things that we didn’t think would stick.”

Cutting back on salt. Swapping processed sweets. Simple changes that ripple through families and communities.

These community health educators partner with community health workers with the REACH Partnership, which provides holistic support through the clinical Community Paramedic role and the non-clinical CHWs, who work to address the social determinants of health.

Youth Mental Health: Building a Workforce for Tomorrow

The newest branch of AmeriCorps service tackles one of Virginia’s most urgent needs: youth mental health.

Through a partnership with the Claude Moore Foundation, members receive specialized training from George Mason University and Rappahannock Community College, earning credentials such as Qualified Mental Health Professional-Trainee (QMHP-T) and Behavioral Health Technician Assistant.

“The Youth Mental Health Corps combines service to youth with education and training that we expect will help grow our behavioral health workforce. The collaboration with Claude Moore Opportunities builds on the AmeriCorps experience of IALR by adding additional resources which, in turn, broaden the reach to Northern Virginia, Northern Neck and the Middle Peninsula.”– Dr. Bill Hazel, CEO of Claude Moore Opportunities

For Allie Cole, a student at Rappahannock Community College pursuing a career in social work, the experience is transformative.

“Finding hands-on work like this without a degree is basically unheard of,” she says.

Her service includes shadowing professionals, learning intake and case management and preparing to implement school-based programs like Sources of Strength.

“We’re taking what we’re learning in class and watching it be applied in the real world,” Cole said. “I’m ready to get out there and make an impact.”

Mitzi’s Story: Service That Changes Lives

Mitzi Coles didn’t picture herself in a classroom.

After years in call centers and customer service, she joined AmeriCorps on a friend’s suggestion.

“Literally everything that I wanted to do but never thought I could do, AmeriCorps opened the door for me to do that,” she said.

Her first two years were spent with fourth graders at Schoolfield Elementary; now she works with fifth graders at Park Avenue.

“Working at the schools is challenging, but it’s rewarding,” Coles said.

She jokes with students that they need to learn math so they can take care of her when she’s older.

And thanks to the Segal Education Award that AmeriCorps members are eligible for, she’s returning to college herself.

For teachers, having an AmeriCorps member in the classroom makes a significant difference. Marcus Wilson, a fifth-grade math teacher at Park Avenue, has had Mitzi Coles, whom he described as a classroom mom or auntie, in his classroom the past two years – a presence that he says helps his students and classroom operations.

“I might not have time to really give that one-on-one attention to that one kid on that particular day,” Wilson said. “Having an AmeriCorps member in the classroom allows them to get the help they need.”

The Bigger Picture

Dan River Year AmeriCorps is a flexible catalyst for community resilience. Every tutoring session, health workshop and mental health training strengthens the region while providing members with the tools to build meaningful careers.

“This is what I’m supposed to be doing,” Coles said.

And for Southern Virginia, that’s the kind of commitment that changes everything.