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Denver Makes Top Ten List For AmeriCorps Volunteers

Katie Lazar
/
Serve Colorado
Cori Wells, manager of the Community Opioid Response Program, and AmeriCorps member Katie Lazar man a table at an addiction awareness event in July.

Denver ranked fifth among large cities with the highest number of residents who choose to serve in AmeriCorps programs.

Every year the Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers national service and volunteer programs, ranks the cities and states that produce the most AmeriCorps members.

Barbara Stewart, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, said there's a spirit of service and volunteerism in Denver that's infectious.

"As those AmeriCorps alumni come home and talk about the fantastic experience they had in AmeriCorps, they're more likely to encourage their friends and neighbors to participate in the program going forward," said Stewart.

Colorado did not place in the top 10 for states. It has about 15 AmeriCorps programs for members to choose from, including Colorado Reads and Boomers Leading Change

Katie Lazar moved to Denver from Michigan last February specifically to work on the Colorado AmeriCorps Community Opioid Response Program (CORP). She's leading prevention and education events all over the metro area and northern Colorado.

"It just seems like a really amazing opportunity to get more public health experience and as well as serve in this really meaningful way," said Lazar.

The states and large and small cities topping the lists are West Virginia, Baltimore and Provo, Utah.

The “American Dream” was coined in 1931 and since then the phrase has inspired people to work hard and dream big. But is it achievable today? Graduating from college is challenging, jobs are changing, and health care and basic rights can be a luxury. I report on the barriers people face and overcome to succeed and create a better life for themselves and their families.
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