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 almost 30 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.
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 500 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, 2021-22, we will:
The Washington Service Corps is unique in its program design and history:
Bryce Bateman
Training Specialist / bryce.bateman@esd.wa.gov / mobile: 360-549-6129 / office: 360-890-3511
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 as a program coordinator in January of 2017, where he offered 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 / robert.brader@esd.wa.gov / office: 360-890-3524
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.
Kendra DeBow
Site and Member Svcs. Supervisor / kendra.debow@esd.wa.gov / mobile: 360-522-0657 / office: 360-890-3529
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.
Ariel Kay-Barto
Outreach Manager / ariel.kay-barto@esd.wa.gov/ mobile: 360-742-6540
Ariel joined the Washington Service Corps team in 2019. Ariel served as a VISTA for Mile High Youth Corps and VISTA Leader for Colorado Youth Corps Association in Colorado where she was born and raised. She earned her bachelors degree from the University of Denver. She has also worked in non-profits and Washington State government. In her free time, you will generally find her outside, and she will talk too much about what she is currently reading if you let her.
Nicole Martinez
AmeriCorps Leader / nicole.martinez@esd.wa.gov
Nicole is an AmeriCorps member who serves with the Washington Service Corps team to support current serving AmeriCorps members. She became an Americorps member in 2020 as a Technology and Resource Navigator serving the military community at the WorkSource Joint Base Lewis-McChord office for two terms. During her free time, she is spending quality time with her family and friends, exploring outdoors with her son, or relaxing with a good book.
Ashley Palmer
Director / ashley.palmer@esd.wa.gov / mobile: 360-628-2510 / office: 360-890-3530
Ashley joined with Washington Service Corps in June 2018 as the Operations Manager focusing on operational duties for the program. In January 2022, Ashley was promoted to serve as the director of WSC. As the new director Ashley is excited to continue working with the incredible WSC team. Focus on aligning internal work for a more collaborative and streamlined program by breaking down process silos, and embracing new opportunities for WSC programs with goals to expand and evolve to best serve Washington State’s most critical needs with national service projects. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the Evergreen State College and has been a public servant for 17 years serving in the Washington State government.
Sandie Peterson
Budget and Finance Specialist / sandra.petersonevans@esd.wa.gov/ office: 360-890-3525
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.
Brandon Rendon
Lead Program Coordinator/ brandon.rendon@esd.wa.gov / Phone: 360-706-3979
Brandon is a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps having served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Brandon spent years as a lean leader for an advanced manufacturer but felt the calling for social work to improve our community and to be a good role model for his children. As a social worker Brandon has been a substitute educator & volunteer tennis coach, an SSVF case manager for homeless veterans, an agency affiliated mental health counselor, a supervisor for ESD, a Site and Member Services Coordinator for Washington Service Corps, and is currently a Lead Program Coordinator with the WSC team.
David Reid
Lead Program Coordinator/ david.reid@esd.wa.gov / mobile: 360-688-3179 / office: 360-890-3523
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. 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.
Paige Sharp
Site and Member Services Coordinator / paige.sharp@esd.wa.gov /
Paige joined the Washington Service Corps team in 2022. Paige completed her first service term as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at a local food bank in her home town of Las Cruces, NM, her second term as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader in Mount Vernon, WA and went on to become the Project Director for the Skagit VISTA team. She earned her masters degree in Public Administration from New Mexico State University and has focused her career in program management in community engagement and outreach. In her spare time you can find her kayaking any of our beautiful Washington lakes, adventuring out with her dog, or playing games with her close friends.
Caroline Slagle
AmeriCorps Leader/ caroline.slagle@esd.wa.gov/
Caroline is an AmeriCorps member who serves with the Washington Service Corps team to support current serving AmeriCorps members. She became a first-time AmeriCorps member in summer 2018 with the New Orleans non-profit A’s and Aces. She served a second term as an outdoor educator in Olympia with Thurgood Marshall Middle School’s environmental and horticulture programs. During Caroline’s free time, they can be found studying for their Masters, gardening, doing art with friends, or hanging with their cat and chickens.
Rebecca Vigoren
Site and Member Services Coordinator / rebecca.vigoren@esd.wa.gov/
Rebecca joined WSC in 2022. After graduating from a small private university in Hawaii, she served her first AmeriCorps term with NCCC as a team leader in the Southwest region. They served their second AmeriCorps term as the VISTA Leader for the Skagit County VISTA team before going on to being the Project Director. Rebecca is a Washington native, but has spent years traveling and working throughout the U.S. and abroad. Among her favorite places she has lived are Washington D.C., Hawaii and Ghana. Rebecca spends their time away from work traveling, spoiling her cats and binging tv shows.
Kari Wood
Operations Lead / kari.wood@esd.wa.gov / office: 360-890-3513
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.
