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It was graduation day for 35 Americorps members.
They are part of CASE, which stands for the Center for Afterschool, Summer and Expanded Learning. The program from the Harris County Department of Education allowed them to mentor about 600 children.
Director Lisa Thompson Carruthers said the Americorps members may not become teachers, but they will learn important lessons.
“These are our future leaders,” said Carruthers. “We’re equalizing opportunity for the kids they serve, but at the end of the day, we want to make sure that these guys are ready and equipped for their next stage in life.”
As a mother and foster mother, Americorps member TaSaSha Harper found gratification in helping children grow into responsible adults.
She worked with students at the Rhodes Charter School in east Houston. It’s an unincorporated area where the majority of kids are disadvantaged.
“To be able to see them grow from the place that they started at to where they are now, it was an awesome experience,” Harper said.
She’s part of the 9th class of Americorps members to graduate from the Harris County program. CASE for Kids is funded in part by a $300,000 national grant, and locally by the OneStar Foundation and Houston Endowment.