An AmeriCorps program connecting service members and under-resourced communities throughout Washington state
In 1983, the Washington state legislature established the Washington Service Corps (WSC) to promote community service and support youth employment around the state. The WSC was the first program of its kind in the nation. A decade later, the federal government created the AmeriCorps national service program, looking at WSC as one of the models for that program’s design.
Since 1994, we have been a part of the federal AmeriCorps program, with primary funding coming from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) through an annual grant application process.
For 20 years, we have run an AmeriCorps*State program in which members are placed individually, in small groups and large teams with organizations across the state. Initially a program with 300 members, our WSC AmeriCorps program has now almost doubled in size.
In 1998, our Washington Reading Corps program was created through a collaboration between the Governor’s office, Serve Washington, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the WSC. This program solely focuses on improving literacy in children and students, placing AmeriCorps members in schools and early learning centers who provide tutoring to struggling readers.
With both programs combined, today we have approximately 550 AmeriCorps members serving statewide.
Our vision: Serving others is a way of life.
Our mission: The mission of the Washington Service Corps is to promote and support community-based initiatives that:
Washington Service Corps is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We acknowledge as a program and as individuals that we continually grow in our understanding of privilege and bias. We know, too, that we must work to remove institutional barriers to service and continue to work to be as inclusive as possible.
We believe in the power of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive program. One where our team and AmeriCorps members are respected as individuals. A program where we are all recognized for the knowledge and expertise we bring to service.
We are striving to make service an opportunity that is fully and openly accessible for all people.
To this end, Washington Service Corps is demonstrating our commitment through action. In program year, 2019-20, we will:
The Washington Service Corps is unique in its program design and history:
Stefania Appia
Senior Analyst / tel: 360-464-0346
Stefania graduated from the University of Washington with a double major in Social Science and Communications, and a Political Science minor. She is a two term AmeriCorps alum, and brings a wealth of knowledge from her non-profit work in education and job development. As WSC’s Senior Analyst, Stefania is tasked with a planning grant to support two focus areas, Opportunity Youth and the Opioid Crisis.
Bryce Bateman
Site and Member Services Coordinator / tel: 360-902-9608
Bryce is a graduate of the University of Washington and a three-time AmeriCorps alum, serving two terms with the Federal Way Public Schools AmeriCorps team, and one term as the AmeriCorps Leader for the WSC. Bryce joined the Washington Reading Corps in his current role as a program coordinator in January of 2017, where he offers technical support and guidance to partner sites and our AmeriCorps members. Away from work, Bryce enjoys spending time with his wife and two Corgis, closely following Seattle sports, and visiting friends and family.
Robert Brader
WSC Data and Performance Measurement Analyst / tel: 360-902-9632
Robert began his public service career over 23 years ago. He joined WSC in 2006, bringing with him a wealth of workforce development experience. Robert lends his skills as our lead performance measurement and evaluation coordinator, providing quality performance measurement consultation and technical assistance to our staff and sponsoring organizations. Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics from Oregon State University and a master’s degree from Bastyr University in applied behavior science, with an emphasis on systems theory, counseling, coaching and leadership development. Robert enjoys gardening, loves all things musical and spends his time exploring the Olympic Peninsula backcountry. Robert strongly believes in work that transforms and engages the community in ways that heal, strengthen and inspire individuals, and the systems they inhabit.
Yeni Castaneto
Administrative Assistant / tel: 360-902-9563
Yeni was born and raised in the Windy City, and is still a die-hard Bears fan. She has joined WSC half time as an administrative assistant. When not using her ninja skills to go above and beyond for her customers, you could find her spending her time with her twin daughters; most likely discussing Marvel theories, or walking Capitol Lake while photobombing her teens’ pictures.
Kendra DeBow
Site and Member Services Supervisor / tel: 360-902-9624
Kendra joined WSC in 2014. She is an AmeriCorps alum, and a graduate from the Evergreen State College with a professional background in social services and national service program coordination. Kendra is currently our lead program coordinator for Washington Reading Corps and Washington Service Corps, supervising staff and project planning for both programs.
Mark Duncan
Compliance Specialist / tel: 360-902-9629
Mark joined our team in April of 2012. As our compliance coordinator, he ensures our programs adhere to federal AmeriCorps grant requirements, and best practices in our field. Mark earned his Lean Six Sigma Green Belt in 2018, and enjoys facilitating lean workshops.
Tynisia Hanson
Site and Member Services Coordinator / tel: 360-902-9637
Tynisia was born in Dayton, Ohio and has lived most of her life in Washington state. She’s worked for the State of Washington for 12 years, joining WSC in 2015. Tynisia is a graduate from Kaplan University with a professional background in human services. Tynisia is currently a program coordinator overseeing the economic opportunity, disaster preparedness and military veterans focus areas. Tynisia enjoys traveling & spending time with her family and friends.
Erika Jenkins
Site and Member Services Coordinator / tel: 360-688-3309
Erika has been with the Employment Security Department since 2009, and joined WSC in 2014. Erika is a graduate from the Evergreen State College, with a background in multi-cultural counseling and social justice. Erika is currently a program coordinator for our healthy futures focus area, with an emphasis on nutrition education and food security. She is deeply committed to improving community health and increasing food security through her work with WSC, and her personal involvement in her community.
Andrew Kuka
WRC Data and Performance Measurement Analyst / tel: 360-552-3410
Andrew coordinates data collection, reporting, and program evaluations for the WRC. Andrew became an AmeriCorps NCCC member in 2013, got hooked, and has been involved in AmeriCorps in some capacity ever since. He is really into walking and public space design. Don’t tell him we said this, but he secretly dreams of one day making it as a post-graffiti street artist.
Kim Maki
Standards, Training, and Outreach Supervisor / tel: 360-688-3948
Kim joined Washington Service Corps in November 2017 with a background in non-profit management and social service program development/delivery. Her previous experience with national service programs includes AmeriCorps/VISTA member supervision, as well as directing a State/National program. A graduate of the Evergreen State College, Kim serves as our standards, training, and outreach supervisor.
Jasper Marino
Site and Member Services Lead / tel: 360-902-9639
Jasper joined the Washington Reading Corps staff in 2017 after serving two years in AmeriCorps – with their second term as WSC’s AmeriCorps Leader in 2016-17. Jasper graduated from Southern Connecticut State University, and shortly thereafter, served their first term in AmeriCorps with 4H CAPITOL in Austin, Texas. Jasper is currently the WRC program coordinator for the northern part of the state.
Sabrena Neff
Training Specialist / tel: 360-522-0782
Sabrena has been with the team since 2015, recently taking on the role of our lead training coordinator. She has a background in education, and spent 10 years traveling across the country working with disadvantaged youth. During that time, she established reading programs to address our country’s literacy crisis and help youth develop their literacy skills and succeed academically. Watching young people overcome their academic challenges so they can realize their gifts and live their dreams is one of her favorite things. That’s why she is so happy being a part of the Washington Service Corps team, as we’re all about making the world a better place and getting things done!
Ashley Palmer
Alignment Integration Manager / tel: 360-902-9563
Ashley joined our team in June 2018 as the alignment integration manager. She has a bachelor’s degree from the Evergreen State College, and spent over 13 years of her career with the Department of Licensing before coming to the Employment Security Department. Ashley oversees the operations side of WSC, which includes compliance, contracts, budget, training and much more. Ashley works closely with our director and lead program coordinator to ensure our mission and vision are in alignment with our goals and outcomes.
Sandie Peterson
Budget and Finance Specialist / tel: 360-902-9635
Sandie has worked with the Washington Service Corps for more than 20 years. She has been our budget and payroll coordinator for the last 15 years. When she’s not working, Sandie likes spending time with her two dogs and four cats.
Sonja Pipek
Site and Member Services Coordinator / tel: 360-902-9634
Sonja joined our staff in 2017 as a program coordinator. After serving two terms as an AmeriCorps member, Sonja was involved in the oversight of a WSC AmeriCorps team for nearly three years. Sonja is dedicated to supporting our communities through national service, and is proud to do so through her work with WSC.
David Reid
Site and Member Services Coordinator / tel: 360-688-3179
David has been a WSC program coordinator since 2013, initially overseeing eight team projects before taking on environmental stewardship and veterans & military families projects statewide. He now exclusively concentrates on working with our environmental projects. David came to WSC from Sitka, Alaska, where he was a manager with the State of Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, David served with land units and aboard U.S. Navy ships overseas. His career also includes many years in law enforcement. David has a strong passion for the environment and loves the outdoors.
Resie Rogers
Site and Member Services Coordinator / tel: 360-902-9410
Resie joined the Washington Service Corps in November of 2016, and as one of our program coordinators, oversees projects in our education focus area. He was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, and his hobbies include sports, reading, writing, comedy and current events. Resie enjoys exchanging ideas and getting to meet people. He believes that everyone is capable of anything, and that respect guides his interactions with people from all walks of life.
Katrina Stensgaard
Program Assistant / tel: 360-902-9603
Katrina joined the WSC as our program assistant in January 2018. As a military veteran and the daughter of a firefighter, she has a life-long commitment to serving others. She is a graduate of the Evergreen State College, has a passion for community media and is a member of Thurston Community Media. In her spare time, she enjoys podcasts and exploring Olympia.
Carola Brenes
Site and Member Services Coordinator / tel: 360-742-2352
Carola joined the Washington Service Corps team in 2017 as one of our program coordinators. Before that, she was an AmeriCorps supervisor at a nonprofit, and got to see firsthand how incredibly valuable and effective AmeriCorps members are at addressing community needs. Carola’s favorite part of her job is connecting with members and site staff to learn more about their experiences and the communities they serve.
James Trujillo
Director / tel: 360-902-9602
James is a returned Peace Corps volunteer, community servant and experienced business manager with time working in the private, non-profit and public sectors. James earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and his master’s degree from Portland State University. A native of the Pacific Northwest, James has volunteered as a school board member, served as an education advocate and is a proponent for civic service and equity for all.
Kari Wood
Contracts and Systems Specialist / tel: 360-902-9622
Kari came to WSC in 2011 with a desire to shift her career to being part of an organization that helps people in need and the beautiful, unique Pacific Northwest that she calls home. As part of our operations team, she is involved in many aspects of our program, primarily in communications, contracts, and system/process development and implementation. She treasures the moments when she can chat with our AmeriCorps members, learning more about their daily service experience and sharing their story with others.
