Each year UServeUtah recognizes several outstanding AmeriCorps members serving in Utah as AmeriCorps Members of the Month for going above and beyond the pledge they took to “Get Things Done.” One of these members is also chosen annually to be the AmeriCorps Member of the Year.
Learn more about these incredible members serving throughout our state below.
2020 AmeriCorps Utah Members of the Month
VICTORIA NICHOLSON
Senior Charity Care Foundation
Victoria was recognized in June 2020 for serving seniors in need in Utah.
ALYSSA SMITH
Utah Stem Initiative AmeriCorps Program
Alyssa was recognized in February 2020 for serving youth in Utah County.
JOSIE JASPERSON
Utah Higher Education AmeriCorps Network
Josie was recognized in January 2020 for serving with UHEAN at Weber State University.
2019 AmeriCorps Member of the Year
Oswaldo Demoura
We are pleased to announce that the Member of the Year for 2019 is Oswaldo “Ozzy” Demoura of the AmeriCorps Education Initiative of Utah (AEIOU) program.
Oswaldo has been serving as an AmeriCorps Tutor Coordinator at Tolman Elementary for more than 3 years. Students and volunteers are always excited to come and learn. His enthusiasm for the student’s learning and achievement is contagious and volunteers are eager to join in the work. He has organized his room in a way that volunteers know exactly what to do and where to go. He dives right into the work and leads by example. He tutors right alongside the volunteers and welcomes their input. Oswaldo takes time to get to know each student and motivates them with their interests.
Every year he makes a craft for each student as an incentive. And it isn’t a small thing! One year he made stars out of soda cans, another year he made awesome helmets from cardboard, and this year he made pencil toppers designed after the students’ favorite characters. This personal touch helps the students to feel loved and valued.
He has also inspired other AmeriCorps members by posting tips and tutorials on our Member Facebook Support Group. Oswaldo has lifted the hearts of students, teachers, parents, volunteers, and other AmeriCorps members with his enthusiasm and dedication. The principal said of Oswaldo, “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award.” We can’t either. Well done, Ozzy!
2019 AmeriCorps Utah Members of the Month
ALLISON O'BRYAN
Playworks Utah
Allison was recognized in January of 2019 for creating safe, healthy, and inclusive playgrounds.
LAYCIE BOWERS
Utah STEM Initiative AmeriCorps Program
Laycie was recognized in February of 2019 for engaging underprivileged youth in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
CAMERON ODA
Boys and Girls Clubs of Weber-Davis
Cameron was recognized in March of 2019 for providing support to students who are at risk of dropping out of school due to chronic absenteeism and students not achieving mastery levels on SAGE (state-wide testing) assessments.
MARIA SORIANO
Salt Lake County's Most Vulnerable Populations
Maria was recognized in April of 2019 for helping those experiencing homelessness obtain housing, provide assistance to the formerly homeless, and connect them to other mainstream services to increase self-sufficiency.
ALEX VALDEZ
Utah Healthcare Corps
Alex was recognized in June of 2019 for improving health outcomes in the areas of immunization, diabetes, insurance enrollment and reduction of health disparities for special populations.
SARAH BARTHOLOMEW
BYU Family Home and Social Science AmeriCorps Program
Sarah was recognized in July of 2019 for increasing the capacity of non-profit mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities.
OSWALDO DEMOURA
AmeriCorps Education Initiative of Utah
Oswaldo was recognized in November of 2019 for going above and beyond in his role as a mentor and tutor at Tolman Elementary School.
WILL McELLIGOTT
Canyon Country Youth Corps
Will was recognized in December of 2019 for his years of service in environmental stewardship with the Canyon Country Youth Corps.