WATERVILLE — “While interning during college, I met an AmeriCorps member who inspired me to check out AmeriCorps opportunities across the U.S. I found the perfect fit in central Maine,” says Laura St. John, AmeriCorps member.

After completing a BS in community health education at the University of Maine, Farmington, Laura St. John accepted an AmeriCorps position at HealthReach Community Health Centers.

At HealthReach, which provides medical care to people of all ages in rural Maine communities, St. John is responsible for a variety of tasks, ranging from registering patients for programs that help with the cost of health care to assisting in the roll-out of a web-based portal where patients can securely communicate with their providers.

“But my favorite project is leading Living Well for Better Health classes for individuals with chronic conditions,” said St. John. “I work with people in a group settings as they learn better ways of managing their health issues and improving their support systems.”

“AmeriCorps provides an opportunity to make a huge difference in your life and in the lives of those around you,” said St. John. It is a chance to apply personal skills and ideals toward helping others and meeting critical needs in the community.

AmeriCorps Week, recognizing the commitment of AmeriCorps members and alums by highlighting the impact AmeriCorps makes, is being held this week through Sunday, March 18.

St. John said she believes it is important for young adults to give back to the community, and she is also building skills for her future. She said, “AmeriCorps is helping me improve my time management, budgeting and networking skills. Learning how to network is beneficial in that it increases access to resources, ideas and building blocks for the future.”

After AmeriCorps, she plans to continue professional development and to pursue a career in the health field. “I would recommend AmeriCorps to others as it allows you to enter and gain experience in a field in which you might be interested. By working on different projects you are able to find direction. I am even considering signing on for another year,” St. John said.

For more information on AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov.