AmeriCorps NCCC was started in 1994. Basically, Americorps National Civilian Community Corps is a team-based community service organization for 18-24 year olds. We respond to a variety of different community needs. Anywhere from disaster relief, which is what we���re doing here in Austell, Georgia to environmental issues, unmet needs, education and homeland security. 

I���m been doing community service ever since I was a little kid. I took a break to go to college. And I just kind of wanted to get back to my roots and do what I really loved.

We have living allowance that we get bi-weekly. We have an education award that we get at the end of 10 months of service. So there are things that we gain from the program so we���re not exactly volunteers.

We���re composite teams so everybody that���s here on this disaster relief project was elsewhere in our region. But when there���s a disaster and the community calls on us, often times we have a composite team come together. 

We do have a really great relationship with FEMA. 

NCCC partners with FEMA a lot, especially in disaster situations. I enjoy helping others and it���s great that the agencies exist that help with it, and I get to be part of it.

This is my first project personally with FEMA. I friend of mine is a team leader in Sacramento and I know they went over to respond to the tsunami in American Samoa and FEMA was their main sponsor that they worked with so it���s definitely a really great relationship.