Interview with Green Columbus’ First AmeriCorps Service Member

For the past 9 months, Green Columbus has had an extra helping hand! Grace Kleinhenz works with Green Columbus through the AmeriCorps program, a federal agency providing opportunities to serve nationwide. I talked with her to better understand her role and the AmeriCorps program.

What is AmeriCorps?

“I’m doing  a 9-month term of service with AmeriCorps. It is often described as  a year of volunteering. From the website it is described as “provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation's most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities.” So this means that AmeriCorps is the one who funds you, but you work with a host site to assist them. 

What made you want to join AmeriCorps?

“I didn’t seek out this position because it was AmeriCorps, so I didn’t have a great idea of [AmeriCorps] before…The reason I started this position is because I knew it was with Green Columbus and I wanted to work with Green Columbus, and it happened to be through AmeriCorps.”

Initially, I was most interested in this position because I wanted to work with Green Columbus and this was my avenue to do so. As I began the interview process and I learned more about AmeriCorps I was even happier with my decision, since it provides service members with an education award upon completing the term.

What are the benefits to joining AmeriCorps?

“I like [this position] being AmeriCorps because [you get] an education stipend… they give you a living stipend as well. They have some pretty decent benefits if you complete your full term, which is very nice. And then you get the network of AmeriCorps folks. Also, through your service…an alloted 10-20% of your hours has to be training. You get things like CPR certified, there’s opportunities like learning how to do controlled burns, herbicide/pesticide [training]... conservation and invasive removal. And then you get to learn about the other groups that are within this collaborative.”

Have there been unexpected benefits you've experienced?

“The trainings, I wasn’t anticipating just how much training would be available! I kind of thought it was just, ‘Oh you’re working for this organization’ and there’s not as much development… But they really want to provide you with tools to use in your next job. I am now First Aid and CPR certified, and have receiving training on how to use a chainsaw, properly apply herbicide and pesticide, and received an introductory course on GIS.” 

What are your favorite and least favorite parts of the program?

“My favorite is how much I’ve gotten to learn and the amount of people I’ve gotten to work with in the environmental/sustainability space in Columbus… I think all the hands-on experiences are my favorite. And also learning a lot more about plants and trees in general, since my background is more business orientated I have loved learning more about ecology, plant identification, and the social impacts of trees As well as how much you can shape your experience, whether it be requesting trainings, or touring facilities, or within your host site what you want to focus on, what you are comfortable with doing, and others that you may not like as much. ”

“It is the [Central Ohio Collaborative’s] first year and they’ve done a really good job …They are well prepared, enthusiastic, and will help with an issues that may arise during your service term, but I think that with any program in its first year we won’t be getting all the benefits, or all the training that may be possible. I like being part of the first groups, and being able to give feedback, and watching it grow so that other people get all the full benefits.”

What would you say to someone interested in joining AmeriCorps?

“You should definitely consider it! At least for me there was a pretty wide variety of communications work versus volunteer organization, helping with events, and then also maintaining trees and actual tree plantings. There’s so many different things you get to do so you get to learn a lot; maybe I do like being outside only, or maybe I like being inside… I think you get a good taste of what you are willing and wanting to do for a longer time in your career. You meet really cool people, But I would read each site description carefully, just because we are in the same cohort doesn't mean each position is the same, some are far more labor intensive.”

Where do you see yourself next/what do you hope to do next?

“I want a full time job in the environmental space..I want to continue to learn more about the impact trees, and other natives, have on urban areas and how they can blend into our man-made spaces.  I also like  work[ing] with local communities and getting to hear what they want, what gaps they are facing, and helping them achieve their goals or mitigate problems they are facing due to climate change.  Continuing with this sentiment, having an aspect of education to my next role would be wonderful. I didn’t realize how lucky I was to have the access and people around me who cared about the environment… Like, hearing people who didn’t know honeysuckle was invasive or didn’t know the impact that trees have. I think being somebody who’s part of the education would be really cool. But ultimately, I feel like the thing I continue to learn about myself is that I really just like working for organizations [who’s] mission statement I align with, and then kind of being a body to help them continue to pursue their goals. Just continuing to learn a lot more about trees, plants, and water and how important and intricate they are. And continuing to grow my ability to identify trees and plants!”

Find out more about AmeriCorps here. Grace will be with Green Columbus until October 4th, 2024 .