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, 2021-22, we will:
The Washington Service Corps is unique in its program design and history:
Bryce Bateman
Training Specialist / bbateman@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 / rbrader@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 / kdebow@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.
Tiffany Dixon
Standards and Outreach Specialist / tdixon@esd.wa.gov / office: 509-385-9490
Previously as an AmeriCorps member engaging youth in green and urban projects in Seattle, and then a Student Services Coordinator at Eastern Washington University, Tiffany has more than six years of experience working with a diverse range of students and their families. Tiffany earned an MS in Human Services from Argosy University and a BA in Psychology from Alaska Pacific University. When she’s not engaging with potential service sites and members, Tiffany enjoys binge watching Netflix, spending time with her two girls and significant other, traveling, and cooking!
Tynisia Hanson
Site and Member Svcs. Coordinator / thanson@esd.wa.gov / mobile: 360-688-3742 / office: 360-890-3517
If unavailable, contact: Ariel Kay
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.
Ariel Kay
Site and Member Services Coordinator / akay@esd.wa.gov / mobile: 360-742-6540
If unavailable, contact: Tynisia Hanson
Ariel joined the Washington Service Corps team in 2019 as one of our program coordinators. 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.
Joscelyn Minton
Lead Program Coordinator / jminton@esd.wa.gov / mobile: 253-312-3145
If unavailable, contact: Kendra DeBow
Joscelyn is our Lead Program Coordinator primarily responsible for the AmeriCorps members serving at WorkSource sites. Joscelyn is also an AmeriCorps alum and discovered her passion for employment development and the WorkSource system while serving as an Employment and Training Navigator for Pacific Mountain WDC. She went on to become a college admissions counselor before returning to WorkSource two years later where she worked her way up to be a Lead Employment Specialist at WorkSource Pierce for several years. Joscelyn loves running though the local trails, lounging with her two adorable cats, and spending time with family and friends.
Ashley Palmer
Interim Director/Operations Manager / apalmer@esd.wa.gov / mobile: 360-628-2510 / office: 360-890-3530
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 / sapeterson@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.
David Reid
Site and Member Svcs. Coordinator / dreid@esd.wa.gov / mobile: 360-688-3179 / office: 360-890-3523
If unavailable, contact: Brandon Rendon
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.
Brandon Rendon
Site and Member Services Coordinator / brendon@esd.wa.gov / mobile: 509-771-4916
If unavailable, contact: David Reid
Brandon joined WSC in 2020. Brandon is a military veteran having served in the United States Marine Corps from 1999 to 2006. While in the Marine Corps, he provided security for the first democratic elections in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Brandon achieved a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Gonzaga University. After graduation, he worked in advanced manufacturing for 10 years focusing on continuous improvement and lean management. Brandon transitioned to social work in 2016 and has been a substitute educator, veteran’s advocate and case manager, and mental health counselor prior to joining ESD. Brandon is focusing on social work in his career at this time for his children (Zane & Sloan) and to give back to our community.
Henry Smith
Site and Member Services Coordinator / hesmith@esd.wa.gov / mobile: 360- 890-0112
If unavailable, contact Joscelyn Minton
Henry joined the Washington Service Corps team in 2020. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University in 2016. After college, Henry served on a backcountry environmental AmeriCorps crew in Eugene. He has worked for several environmental nonprofits across Western Washington. When he’s not working, Henry loves kayaking, going to museums, playing basketball, and hiking with friends.
Kari Wood
Operations Lead / kawood@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.
