HOPE worldwide AmeriCorps Member Recognized as Top National Young Leader

Wayne, PA — Christy Stephens, a first year full-time AmeriCorps member for HOPE worldwide, has been selected as one of 100 national young leaders in America in conjunction with the ServiceNation Summit on volunteer service recently held in New York City.

ServiceNation selected Christy as a young national leader because she has proven to be a proactive leader who cares deeply about others and making a difference in this world. She continues to tirelessly devote her time to doing things right the first time. Her experience working with at-risk children and youth, planning large events, coordinating the mobilization of very large groups, and her energetic and very positive spirit shows her capability for creating societal impact and change.

As a national initiative of 114 organizations to expand volunteer service in America, ServiceNation brought together 500 leaders of all ages and from every sector of American life to celebrate the power and potential of citizen service, and lay out a bold policy blueprint for addressing America’s greatest social challenges through expanded opportunities for volunteer and national service. The September Summit began with a presidential candidates' forum where Senators McCain and Obama spoke about their views on the role of citizenship and service in post-9/11 America. Other keynote speakers included New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, First Lady Laura Bush, Senators Clinton and Dodd, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Alicia Keys, and Jon Bon Jovi. The ultimate goal of the ServiceNation Summit was to inspire an America in which, by 2020, 100 million citizens will volunteer.

Christy said, “As impressive as the guest list was, I was even more impressed by the people who came together under one common goal…to serve others!  Included in this number were several hundred young people who have made a decision to dedicate months, years, and lifetimes to a life of service. I met two young sisters who at the age of 12 and 14 started a company selling honey to raise money for Colon Cancer Research. I met many other young people who were taking time off of school to serve in the AmeriCorps or City Year programs all over the U. S. It was so inspiring to see so many young people take a stand on the importance of service, not just through words but through actions too.  Our future is bright and the generations to come are committed to serving those in need.”

Before joining AmeriCorps and HOPE worldwide, Christy was an elementary education school teacher in Columbus, Ohio who worked with at-risk children that were high risk for dropping out of school. She was successful in helping these children improve their attitude and behavior in school.

Christy added, “Words that I have come to cherish in this past year are that, “God is good…all the time”. I have had many incredible opportunities to travel in this past year and even more so in the past couple of months. The only explanation that I hold is that God is good and that is why I have been able to experience the things that I have!”

Congratulations Christy!

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