Producer Sarah Gatti served two years as an AmeriCorps member through JVC Northwest, and describes her experience.

When I tried to encapsulate my JVC Northwest AmeriCorps experience in a 60-second video clip I found it impossible. There are so many moments, people, and stories that make up a year of service that I simply could not do justice to what has made these past two years so important, unique and life altering. So we came up with the idea of "Team AmeriCorps, Fun Yeah!" because it captures what has been at the heart and what has sustained my fellow volunteers and my years of service: a degree of playfulness and hope.

The problems that face our country and our world are overwhelming to say the least, and as we stand on the front lines of direct service to people experiencing homelessness, incarceration, domestic violence, sexual abuse, relocation and inadequate healthcare it is easy to talk about the deep pain and need that stems from social inequity. However, that conversation also needs to be balanced with the joy and empowerment that we are in a position to do something. We cannot do everything, and this knowledge instead of paralyzing us frees us to act in whatever corner of the world we are in. JVC Northwest AmeriCorps capitalizes on this by connecting energized compassionate, committed individuals with the populations that need them the most, and that deserves a huge FUN yeah!

This video is a celebration of the good that can come from people who are willing to dedicate a moment in time to others. This year my fellow volunteers and I have learned that there is one language that transcends all the barriers that stand between us, and that is laughter. Laugh, sing along, and celebrate with me the gift that JVC Northwest AmeriCorps has been to the people we serve, this country, and me.