AMERICORPS WORKERS GO INTO COMMUNITIES

After spending four months working in the AmeriCorps program, Morgan Marino has insight into how Cape Girardeau County deals with juvenile offenders she couldn't find in the classroom.

And, Marino plans to use her hands-on experience working in the county juvenile office when she seeks a job after she graduates from Southeast Missouri State University next year.

Marino, a junior in criminal justice at Southeast, wants a probation position on the federal level, but knows "that's going to be tough to get."

By working at the juvenile office, she has learned how each division functions.

"I wouldn't mind ending up working as a juvenile officer," she said, adding that juvenile officers aren't just job titles anymore. She knows what they do and how they interact with juveniles. And, she knows it's a lot harder than she thought.

She also thinks her contribution has helped juveniles work their way back into mainstream society.

In addition to teaching an anger management class for Division of Youth Services, she is a tracker who goes to the home or work place to see the juvenile offenders are doing what they are supposed to be doing.

"I've gotten to know a lot of the kids and have developed some trust," she said. "It's a good feeling."

Marino is one of 17 part-time workers in the Americorps program, a national service plan started by President Clinton and signed into law in 1993. Functioning as a domestic Peace Corps, AmeriCorps offers opportunities for citizens to serve their country and earn money to attend college or vocational schools.

A $390,000 grant awarded to the Southeast Missouri Partners for Community Service had strong support from area legislators and was one of three AmeriCorps proposals in Missouri to receive state funding.

In addition to the $390,000 state award, county health departments in the area provide matching funds of $14,000 for the AmeriCorps program. Southeast Missouri State University provides an $18,000 match of in-kind services and facilities.

Under the three-year plan, 36 participants will serve on three-member teams that will focus on the environment, health, families, area public schools and communities.

AmeriCorps workers in Southeast Missouri began training Oct. 31.

Gloria Blackmon and Kelly Ploesser are two of 19 full-time workers in the AmeriCorps program who report to the Community Caring Council office at 610 Normal St. The Southeast Missouri AmeriCorps program also operates out of an office in the Bootheel Education Center in Malden.

Blackmon and Ploesser work as an impact team at the May Greene Elementary School. Ploesser and Blackmon work with students to resolve conflicts, tutor those who are having difficulty with class material and just coping with day-to-day activities.

"We were able to help one student understand how verbs worked in a sentence," Ploesser said. "It may not sound like much, but I really feel like we made a difference in that student's life because he was able to go back to class and keep from falling behind."

AmeriCorps Program Supervisor Jackie Nielson said the workers are able to make a contribution to the community and take some understanding of their chosen fields.

"When we look at someone as a potential AmeriCorps worker, we consider what their field of interest is and try to fit them into an area that is compatible with that," she said. "Sometimes they decide that they want to get into a different field after experiencing this program."

Diane Simington, who is an AmeriCorps volunteer working with the Division of Youth Services, said she will likely pursue an education in social work.

"I've got a degree in elementary education, but now I think I might like to change because I think I can do more as a social worker," she said.

The AmeriCorps staff underwent a rigorous five-day training session in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau.

"It was a little rough when we first got started because we had a lot of organizing to do," Nielson said. "Now things are running smoothly and everyone seems to go about their job with an enthusiasm and clear understanding of their objectives."

Under the program, full-time participants receive a minimum living allowance of $7,662 a year. Full-time participants must complete 1,700 hours of community service work within a year. Part-time workers must complete 900 hours of community service within two to three years.

The AmeriCorps program has available funding totaling $155 million nationwide.

After completing a year of service, each full-time worker can receive an award of $4,725 to attend a college or postsecondary vocational school. A part-time participant can receive an award of $2,363.

The Southeast Missouri Partnership for Community Service covers the counties of Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Mississippi, Scott, Stoddard, New Madrid, Dunklin and Pemiscot.

Dr. Johnny McGaha, a Southeast professor and director of the AmeriCorps program in Southeast Missouri, said he has seen enough positive results to feel the program should continue.

"There is always talk of programs being cut, but this one has already made a positive impact on the community," McGaha said. The federal program has 20,000 workers. Participants in the AmeriCorps program must be at least 17. Anyone who is interested in doing community service projects in areas of education, public safety, human needs and environmental needs while furthering their education can apply.

The goal is to select a group of participants nationwide that are diverse racially, educationally and economically.

Workers are placed where there is a need for tutors and role models for children and young adults, McGaha said, adding that cities like Kennett, Hayti, Charleston and Sikeston have a need for the workers.

"If someone is from Charleston or Sikeston or Kennett, we try to place them in that town and in the field they are most qualified to work," McGaha said.

"Many times workers from one impact team will get involved in a project initiated by another impact team," Nielson said. "We had a project in which juvenile offenders went on a trip to Trail of Tears Park, for example."

McGaha said some AmeriCorps workers who deal with gang members in Sikeston have firsthand knowledge of what their students are confronting.

"Some of the workers here have actually experienced what it was like to be in a gang," McGaha said.

Debbie Lincoln said her experience in AmeriCorps has led to the pursuit of a college education, adding that she wouldn't be in school if it weren't for this program.

Her previous employment was with the area Head Start program, which didn't require a college education. During her first month working with the Bollinger County Health Department and area schools, Lincoln decided she would readjust her plans.

She completed the entrance and assessment exams in December and is enrolled in a three-credit evening course for the spring semester at Southeast Missouri State.