FEMA Corps class graduates Friday

After 10 months of training and service, FEMA Corps is set to graduate 125 members on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019.

FEMA Corps is an AmeriCorps service program opportunity that gives 18 to 24-year-olds a chance to gain work experience with communities, to travel and also gain a $6,000 education award once they have completed the program.

Class 25A is made up of corps members, team leaders and support team leaders who have trained  to respond to Federal Emergency Management Agency disasters across the United States and in Puerto Rico at the Southern Region campus in Vicksburg.

Each FEMA team has an average of seven members, along with a team leader who oversees the team while responding to disasters. Class 25A first arrived in Vicksburg in January 2019 for team-leader training until February when the corps members arrived. Once every team is fully trained in Vicksburg, they will be sent out on individual projects in different states to help assist the communities where they are located. The teams are split into three units, Gulf, Wave and Ocean Unit, and have assisted in places such as Florida, California and Puerto Rico.

While out on a project, FEMA Corps assists with things such as helping the community apply for grants after a disaster, distributing supplies for recovery areas and disaster survivor assistance by going door-to-door registering people for federal aid.  All food and transportation is paid for while people serve in the program.

The AmeriCorps Southern Region campus, which houses FEMA Corps and other classes, has been based in Vicksburg since 2009 and welcomes individuals from all religions, creeds and circumstances.

“The FEMA staff supports us  in every way they can, and we enjoy having them,” said team leader Nyjeer Wesley.

Graduation for the class is tomorrow, Nov. 22, at 9:30 a.m. at the Southern Region Campus, 2715 Confederate Ave., and everyone is welcome to attend.

For more information, or if you’re interested in joining AmeriCorps, visit the AmeriCorps national service website.

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