Enrichmond Welcomes NCCC AmeriCorps Team

Richmond, Virginia – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 4, 2017

On July 11th, the Enrichmond Foundation was honored to be selected as the recipient of an AmeriCorps NCCC team, for service at Evergreen Cemetery. AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, team-based residential national service program for young adults who want to give back to communities in need at different locations across the country. From September 21 through October 15, 2017, Enrichmond will host a ten-member team whose service will  kick-start Enrichmond-organized volunteer maintenance projects at Evergreen Cemetery.

To date, volunteer efforts are all that have reclaimed the cemetery from the forest. The AmeriCorps team will complement and expand upon volunteer work by providing intensive maintenance in specific areas, as well as standardizing volunteer practices and procedures for future efforts. The project will result in increased ease of access for all visitors, more manageable maintenance projects for future volunteers, and the creation of a volunteer handbook.

A deep understanding of the cemetery and its place in history is an essential component of the team’s stay in Richmond. In their first week, the team will tour the four cemeteries at Evergreen, Jackson Ward, the historic Maggie Walker house, and Hollywood Cemetery. Hostel International (HI) in downtown Richmond will serve as the AmeriCorps members’ home during the three-week project. In their off-time, the team members will have opportunities to engage with the local community through events hosted by Hostel International.

The team will lend help to a large community forum led by Enrichmond and VCU’s Center for Urban and Regional Analysis (CURA) at Evergreen this fall. The forum will host all interested community members, volunteers, and families of those interred to engage in targeted discussions about the future of Evergreen. The AmeriCorps team will assist CURA with surveying and facilitated discussions that day.

The morning of the community forum, Enrichmond will hold a press conference at Evergreen Cemetery in celebration of the NCCC team’s arrival and Enrichmond’s commitment to the historic space. Enrichmond’s efforts have been acknowledged by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, Delegate Delores McQuinn, and City Council members; all of whom are invited to attend. Other participants include: Virginia Outdoors Foundation, Preservation Virginia, Virginia Community Capital, the National Park Service/Maggie Walker House, Library of Virginia, The Valentine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Union University, Virginia State University, University of Richmond, and Black History Museum. Enrichmond will release the date of the press conference and community forum within the month.

Enrichmond is applying to host a second round of NCCC volunteers for a two-month project and will be notified of the award within the month.

The Enrichmond Foundation is an umbrella 501(c)(3) non-profit that serves over 130 parks and recreation partner groups in the City of Richmond. Enrichmond’s mission is to serve the people, parks and public spaces of Richmond.