Service Sites • Accomplishments

A STAR! (Appalachian Service Through Action and Resources) in Western Maryland is part of the AmeriCorps Alliance for National Service.
A STAR! provides direct, substantive service programs that improve the literacy of school children, enhance the health care and living conditions of children and elderly people, help at-risk youth by offering after-school programs, improve shelter and support services for low-income families and preserve the environment for the Western Maryland communities.

The A STAR! program is managed through a partnership with Frostburg State University located in Frostburg, Maryland, the Maryland Governor's Office of Service and Volunteerism, and the Corporation for National and Community Service. The A STAR! program is a regionally-based national service program spanning the four western most counties in Maryland.

There are several agencies in Western Maryland participating in A STAR! which sponsor AmeriCorps positions. The following is a list of agencies, names of site supervisors, and a brief description of the service objectives for members placed at that site. To learn more about A STAR!, please contact Lisa Clark, A STAR! in Western Maryland Director, at 301-697-3359.

Allegany County HRDC
Jen Cross (301) 777-5970 x 121
AmeriCorps member directly serves the clients within the agency focusing on the elderly, disabled adults and homebound population. Member is responsible for outreach and support to clients and programs within the agency.
 
Beginnings: A Montessori Pre-school and Kindergarten
Sherry VanMeter (301) 722-2220
AmeriCorps member will serve to build capacity within the agency serving as a teaching assistant and mentor for the children.  Member focuses on the children who are ‘at-risk’ or are not on level with the state requirements.
 
Big Brothers/Big Sisters                                   
Sushil Bhattacharjee (301) 694-9455
AmeriCorps members service with Big Brothers Big Sisters provide direct support to the “Bigs and Littles” of the agency.  Members organize and implement mentoring and academic enrichment programs as well as provide outlets for the youth participating in the program.
 
Discovery Station- Hagerstown Maryland
Marie Byers (301) 790-0076
AmeriCorps member provides outreach and support to the agency through volunteer generation, program implementation, training and supporting partnerships with local agencies. Member is responsible for providing direct service to the patrons and groups affiliated with the agency.
 
FSU/Read to Succeed Program
Amy Carter, 301-687-4210
One (1) AmeriCorps member recruits, trains and retains Frostburg State University student volunteers to support and expand various countywide literacy programs, under the auspices of the READ TO SUCCEED Program based at FSU.
 
Frederick Community Action Agency
Mike Spurrier  (301) 600-1506 
AmeriCorps member serves to meet the unmet human needs within Frederick County.  These needs include emergency assistance, senior care, intake, placement and support for clients identified by the agency.
 
Garrett County Community Action Committee
Linda Green, 301-334-9431 x115
One (1) AmeriCorps members serve to meet the unmet human needs of Garrett County residents in the following areas: assisting families with energy assistance and other services related to human needs.
 
Garrett County Department of Social Services
Michael Dennis (301) 533-3000
AmeriCorps member provides direct service through networking with clients and non profit agencies to ensure clients receive the proper services.  Member assists with the foster care program and other outreach programs affiliated with the agency.
 
Garrett County Health Department
Sandy Sutton, 301-334-7730
Three (3) AmeriCorps members will provide services in the following health-related areas: community health (teen theater and car seat safety), Healthy Families, and dental health.
 
Good Will Industries of Frederick
Cindy Freeman  (301) 662-0622
AmeriCorps members provide direct outreach and coaching to clients with special needs.  Members train and assist in the placement of these individuals in employment positions within the region.
 

• Over the past five years, A STAR! engaged one hundred and fifty-nine (159) AmeriCorps members in service to their communities, recruited fifteen thousand six hundred and six (15,606) volunteers, who provided more that ninety-five thousand and eight (95,008) hours of service to their communities, 1994-1999;
• Frostburg State University (FSU) faculty/staff continues to offer time, expertise and resources to the program (e.g. Advisory Board, evaluation, training and technical assistance), 1994-1999
  
• FSU Foundation provides dedicated space (Braddock House) for all national Service programming, 1998-1999;
• A STAR! Staff actively participates on committees and sub-committees of the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism (GOSV), 1994-1999;
  
• Dr. Catherine Gira, FSU President, received a Governor’s Citation for her commitment and involvement in national Service programming, 1999;
  
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Grant Funding, Corporation for National Service (CNS); 1997-1999;
  
• Service and After-School Safe Communities Through Service (MASCOTS) Funding, Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism; 1996-1999;
  
• Collaborate with Volunteer Maryland! To sustain out-of-school time programs with volunteers; 1999;
  
• Instituted service component for university-wide Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation; 1997-1999
  
• Staff leveraged additional “streams” of CNS funding (AmeriCorps*VISTA, Education Award Only AmeriCorps Program); 1998-1999;
  
• Awarded AmeriCorps Leaders, CNS; 1995, 1999;
  
• Recently submitted request for grant funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust for the Watershed Advocacy Through Education and Resource (WATER) Project to address areas environmental concerns, 1999;
  
• Maryland Association of Higher Education (MAHE) Award for Distinguished Program in the Community Service Category, 1998;
  
• Governor’s Citation for tornado relief efforts, 1998;
  
• Citation from Allegany County Commissioners for Outstanding Community Programming, 1997;
  
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Directory, Outstanding Community Partnerships, 1996;
  
• Member awarded Governor’s Citation for coordinating Locust Grove flood relief efforts;
  
• Program maintains high level of communication and received bi-partisan support from local, state and national government representatives.