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This week, we spoke with Mei Pantuso, a member of Team Red 6. Mei\u2019s been serving in Paradise, California on HCRN home rebuilds, trail maintenance, and at distribution centers which are still serving the community over 3 years after the deadly Camp Fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For many young people, deciding on a career path or studies can be a difficult choice. It\u2019s especially difficult when you\u2019re just finishing high school and haven\u2019t had much experience outside of school and family. For Mei, she wanted to figure out what she wanted before going to college. It was her step-mother who suggested the AmeriCorps program. Her step-mom had been a part of AmeriCorps when she was younger, and presented it as an alternative to college for Mei to explore and experience the world a little more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI knew it was going to be tough because I never had done anything like it,\u201d Mei said. And she\u2019s been right! She and her team have had an opportunity to work on so many different projects, interact with so many different people of different backgrounds and means. They\u2019ve painted homes and worked in a community pantry to feed people who are still living in camper trailers or their cars. She and her team have seen the need, and they\u2019ve had a chance to be a part of meeting those needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of all of these challenges for Mei, the most difficult has been talking to new people every day. \u201cI could never be a waitress,\u201d she said, after working several crab feeds in Butte County. That\u2019s another perk of this program: finding the things you don\u2019t want to do. However, the things she\u2019s learned she loves doing have been by far the more important aspects of Mei\u2019s service. She\u2019s found out how much she loves working with her hands, in painting and planting, she\u2019s found joy in her work and service. Mei said, \u201cI\u2019ve decided that\u2019s something I want to keep doing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For anyone who\u2019s thinking about what their next steps should be, Mei encourages young people to consider an AmeriCorps program. \u201cIt\u2019s such a unique experience,\u201d and provides experience with a team, getting you outside of yourself and serving others. It\u2019s a chance to try so many new and interesting things, and especially for younger people, it gives you a chance to find something you really love. \u201cEvery time I\u2019m talking to a younger family member [I say] \u2018you have to join!\u2019 I can\u2019t stress how exciting a program this is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d like to learn more about AmeriCorps NCCC please visit their website here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/90a62dbc32.nxcli.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Americorps-half-group-copy-1024x683.jpeg\")
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