Building Healthy Communities: Legacy’s AmeriCorps Members Lead the Way

At Legacy Community Health, service isn’t just a job – it’s a calling. For the members of Legacy’s AmeriCorps program, that calling comes to life every day through connection, compassion, and community impact. Since launching its AmeriCorps partnership, Legacy has welcomed dozens of individuals into meaningful, service-based roles that directly improve health outcomes for some of the most underserved populations in the Houston area.

From case management and patient education to community outreach and resource navigation, AmeriCorps members are on the front lines, supporting the people who need it most. During a recent LinkedIn Live session, a group of members discussed what the program has meant to them.

A Year-Long Job Interview

“AmeriCorps is pretty much a year-long job interview,” said Ashley Harris-Land, AmeriCorps Program Director. “You’re not brand new to Legacy when you’re hired. They already know you. They’ve seen your work.”

And many do stay. Ashley is just one of several former members who found a permanent home at Legacy. Her own journey to AmeriCorps began when she was working full-time as a Community Health Worker. When the program she was working for ended, she learned that Legacy Community Health was hiring.

“I applied for the position and initially ignored the ‘AmeriCorps’ part in the title and just paid attention to the ‘Community Health Worker’ part,” she recalled. “I had no idea what AmeriCorps was.”

After a successful interview, she received information about the program but wasn’t immediately convinced. However, after considering the education award, childcare assistance, and the opportunity to work hands-on with underserved communities, she decided to take the leap.

“I got everything that I was looking for during my AmeriCorps experience. I gained professional development while being hands-on with underserved communities.” After serving, Ashley was hired to manage the AmeriCorps program itself.

From Small Beginnings to Significant Growth

The program has expanded dramatically since its launch. “I served in the very first year that AmeriCorps was launched at Legacy,” Ashley explained. “At that time, there were only about nine members in the entire program, and not many people within the organization really understood what AmeriCorps was or the impact it could have. We were only placed in two departments, and the program had limited visibility.”

When hired to manage the program, Ashley prioritized raising awareness about the value AmeriCorps members bring. “Through consistent outreach and partnership building, the program has expanded significantly in size, reach, and impact.”

This growth reflects the program’s true value: creating meaningful pathways for service members and strengthening Legacy’s capacity to serve communities.

Why Members Stay

“I believe so many of our members stay on because of the meaningful experiences they have during their service,” Ashley said. “AmeriCorps allows them to explore different areas of interest within healthcare and community service, opportunities that can be hard to find elsewhere. Their supervisors get to see their skills, work ethic, and commitment firsthand, which often leads to job offers after their term.”

“Everyone who’s gone through our program and gotten hired is still here at Legacy,” Ashley noted. “That says a lot.”

Stories of Impact and Transformation

The experiences of Legacy’s AmeriCorps members are as diverse as the members themselves. Some joined fresh out of college. Others were in the middle of career transitions. Some had personal reasons for wanting to give back. All of them found something more through AmeriCorps: purpose, skills, support, and community.

Neema Kiza originally came from the Congo and joined AmeriCorps as a community health worker assisting Houston’s immigrant and refugee populations. “I was actively looking for internships in public health, and one flyer changed everything,” she recalled. Today, she serves as a program manager at Connect Community, helping to lead current AmeriCorps members.

Johana Aguilar joined the program in March 2024 as part of a major expansion of the Patient Access Initiative. As a single mother of four young children, including a 7-month-old baby, Johana relied solely on her AmeriCorps stipend while serving as a Patient Information Coordinator. She faced the additional challenge of completing a 900-hour service term in just six months, compared to the usual eight. Despite these obstacles, she excelled in her role and returned for a second term, becoming the first member to serve in the Referrals Department. By the end of her second term, her site supervisor offered her a full-time position as a Referrals Coordinator. She now plans to use her two AmeriCorps education awards to pursue her dream of becoming an ultrasound technician.

Michael Lopez, Legacy Nutrition Coordinator, said the program gave him a path forward during a time when he felt stuck. “I had no direction. AmeriCorps pushed me toward a future,” he said. Michael now works full-time in that same role.

Boi Ha began as an intern, served two terms in the Legacy AmeriCorps program, and now coordinates it. “I had a lack of courage. AmeriCorps helped me build it up,” Boi said. “Even if you don’t know where you’re going, just try it and see where it takes you.”

Program Details and Benefits

Legacy’s AmeriCorps positions range from Community Health Workers and Literacy Coordinators to Outreach Specialists and Maternal & Child Health Program Navigators. Members serve approximately 35 hours a week for 3 to 12 months, tailoring their experience to their goals and availability.

Whether you’re fresh out of school, changing careers, or simply want to give back, the program offers tangible benefits, including:

• Biweekly living stipend
• Health insurance
• Childcare assistance
• $7,395 education award (for tuition or student loan repayment)
• Hands-on experience in public health
• Direct connection with the community
• Professional development opportunities

Current Openings

Ready to make an impact? Legacy will begin recruiting AmeriCorps members in March for the following positions for their summer cohort:

• Community Health Worker (Chronic Disease Education)
• Pharmacy Advocate
• Patient Information Coordinator
• Maternal & Child Health Program Specialist
• Community Health Advocate (Nutrition and Fitness)

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Ashley envisions even greater impact for the program. “My long-term vision is to continue expanding our impact, increasing visibility, fostering innovation, and setting the standard for other organizations nationwide. I want us to keep marketing the program strategically, building strong partnerships, and creating pathways that empower members, strengthen our organization, and serve our communities in lasting ways.”

Together, we’re building healthier communities, one member at a time. For more information, visit https://www.legacycommunityhealth.org/development/legacy-americorps/