On March 18, 2026, over 230 AmeriCorps members, program staff, and community partners gathered at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center for the annual AmeriCorps Utah Member Gathering. The event brought together individuals from across the state for a day of connection, recognition, and service.
Programs represented included:
- Utah Healthcare Corps
- Utah Conservation Corps
- Canyon Country Youth Corps
- One Utah Service Fellowship
- United Way of Northern Utah Student Success Program
- UMAKE (Utah Maker Access and Knowledge Ecosystem)
- Youth Mental Health Corps
- AmeriCorps Utah STEM Initiative
- Salt Lake County’s Most Vulnerable Populations program
Each program plays a unique role in addressing community needs across Utah, from education and environmental stewardship to economic opportunity and public health.
A key part of the day focused on service in action. Attendees worked together to assemble 1,500 care kits that will support Utah Foster Care. The kits were prepared for school aged children to help them reduce anxiety as they travel to family visits and/or court hearings. They included items like fidget toys, writing tablets, road trip bingo, would you rather games, mindfulness activities, and iSpy jars. The project offered a hands-on opportunity for members to give back while working alongside peers from different programs. Everyone worked efficiently and intentionally, leading to the project being completed in under 30 minutes!
Honoring Outstanding Service
The Member of the Year Awards recognized individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and impact through their service. These members represent the strength and purpose of AmeriCorps across Utah.
- Delia Turner – Healthy Futures
Association for Utah Community Health program - Kendall Cabrera – Education
One Utah Service Fellowship - Andrea Diaz – Capacity Building
One Utah Service Fellowship - AJ Forsgren – Economic Opportunity
Salt Lake County Most Vulnerable Populations program - Ani Pham – Environmental Stewardship
Canyon Country Youth Corps
Each recipient has made a meaningful contribution within their program and community, reflecting the broader impact of AmeriCorps members statewide.
Community Support
The event was strengthened by the support of community partners who donated raffle prizes for attendees. Thank you to Cache Valley Fun Park, GREENbike, Hale Centre Theatre, Heber Valley Railroad, Caffé Ibis Roasters, and Tracy Aviary for their generosity.
Continuing the Work
The Member Gathering provided space to reflect on service, build connections, and recognize achievements. As members return to their communities, they continue their work with renewed energy and a shared commitment to making a difference across Utah.