AmeriBonfire Initiation

This past Saturday, the newest AmeriCorps members of Northern California were initiated which include both Jake Bryan from the Peninsula affiliate and myself, the newest member at RTSF. As part of our initiation, we were united by the four elements Earth, water, air, and fire. Initiation consisted of standing around a lightly lit fire pit at Ocean Beach, sand, burnt hot dogs, and high winds.. Freezing! Fortunately, AmeriBonfire was a success since we haven’t seen each other after MLK work week in Pittsburgh.

Being the newest AmeriCorps member at Rebuilding Together San Francisco (RTSF), I determined that I should officially introduce myself. My name is Melissa Reyes and I will be “serving” with fellow members Ted Aquino and Andrew Oommen. What exactly is Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps program? From the national website, “Rebuilding Together’s AmeriCorps program, called the Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps is a high-impact National AmeriCorps program of 65 full-time AmeriCorps members serving in 33 Rebuilding Together affiliates in 20 states. Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps members will build the capacity of Rebuilding Together affiliates to serve additional low-income homeowners through volunteer recruitment, client outreach, direct repairs for low-income homeowners, new project implementation, community partnership development and program expansion.” In the end, we are getting things done for America!

It’s been exactly three weeks since I’ve walked in through the front door at RTSF. These weeks have been going crazy, and it’s getting crazier as we prepare for Rebuilding Day 2012! On the side note, February is the month of the hearts, from Valentine’s Day to the President’s proclamation as America’s Heart Month. In other words, have a heart and start volunteering with the one’s you love <3 !