On the Island

Star Island Hosts AmeriCorps Volunteers

We are thrilled to share the following press release about the outstanding AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps team that helped us with special facilities projects this spring on Star Island, including compost system improvements and grounds work.

An AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps team is wrapping up a three-week stay on Star Island.

The volunteers are from all over the country and range in age from 18 to 22. The AmeriCorps team stayed in the historic Ocean Hotel and worked on a range of projects, including infrastructure improvements, energy efficiencies and waste management.

“These are important projects that we would not have been able to complete this year without the help of the AmeriCorps volunteers,” said Star Island Manager John Bynum. “We are so grateful for their contributions and strong work ethic. And we were thrilled to show them some Star Island hospitality.”

Zoe Lufkin, 22, of Tacoma, Washington, was excited by the assignment and called it an experience she will always remember.

“By joining the Star Island community for three weeks our team was able to partake in the fun familial energy that abounds in every building,” Lufkin said. “Getting to know the different crews around the island was an exciting process. We spent most of our time with environmental services working to streamline their composting system. I, personally, don’t have much previous sustainability exposure, which made this time all the more meaningful. It was a great, unforgettable few weeks that was made all the better by the warm staff who included our team in all their traditions.”

Star Island is the second largest of the nine small, rugged islands at the Isles of Shoals. Star Island is owned and managed by the nonprofit Star Island Corporation and hosts weeklong conferences and programs focused on a wide variety of topics including ecology, history, spirituality, arts, along with intergenerational family camps. All are welcome to come for the day, spend the night or attend a conference.

AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps engages up to 2,800 young Americans in a full-time, 10-month commitment to service each year. AmeriCorps NCCC members address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, and urban and rural development. The programs are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages more than 5 million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Volunteer Generation Fund programs. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.gov.