When Ashley Harris-Land joined Legacy Community Health’s AmeriCorps program as a Community Health Worker in 2018, she had no idea it would transform her entire career trajectory. Today, she leads that very same program as its director, a living testament to the power of national service.

“Joining AmeriCorps was one of the best decisions that I ever made in my career,” says Harris-Land. “It’s the most rewarding experience that you can ever encounter. You get to give back to your community using the skills that you have and give to those who need it the most.”

In an interview with 12News, Ashley shared her personal journey: “I basically took a leap of faith and left my job as a Certified Community Health Worker (CHW). A full-time CHW and came on as an AmeriCorps member… I was making half of what I was making before but something—I don’t know what it was—I just had this strong intuition and gut feeling to take a leap of faith.”

Texas’s First Health Care AmeriCorps Program

Legacy Community Health was the first organization in Texas to launch a health care-focused AmeriCorps program, and the initiative has grown tremendously since its inception. What started as a smaller initiative has expanded into a robust program with over 70 AmeriCorps members serving across Harris and Jefferson counties.

AmeriCorps is a national service program where individuals commit their time to address critical community needs. At Legacy, members serve on the front lines of community health, helping low-income and medically underserved individuals and families access the health care services they need.

According to the OneStar Foundation, which administers AmeriCorps programs in Texas, Legacy AmeriCorps members support over 18,000 individuals in accessing primary health care services each year.

Diverse Opportunities, Real Impact

Legacy’s AmeriCorps program offers positions across multiple health care disciplines. Members can gain hands-on experience in public health, maternal and child health, pharmacy operations, chronic disease education, nutrition and fitness, early childhood development, patient navigation, and much more.

Members work directly with local communities to address social determinants of health, which includes any factors that might impact an individual’s ability to live a healthy life and access quality health care. This encompasses a wide range of issues, including food security, housing and utility assistance, and access to transportation and technology.

Your Path to Community Health Worker Certification

One of the most valuable aspects of Legacy’s AmeriCorps program is the opportunity to earn your Community Health Worker (CHW) certification.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, CHWs are trusted members of their community who understand the culture, language, and life experiences of the populations they serve. They help individuals find the services they need and strengthen the community as a whole.

Through AmeriCorps service, members develop expertise in the eight core competencies required for CHW certification, including health education, patient navigation, outreach, advocacy, and care coordination. Texas requires completion of a DSHS-certified 160-hour competency-based training program, or at least 1,000 hours of CHW service within the past three years. This certification opens doors to a growing field where skilled community health workers are in high demand.

Benefits That Support Your Future

Legacy’s AmeriCorps program is designed to support members while they serve. Benefits include a bi-weekly living stipend, health insurance options, child care assistance for those who qualify, professional development training, and student loan deferment.

As Harris-Land shared with 12News, “I was a single mom at the time and so I needed help paying for daycare so I could serve, and they have financial aid assistance for my childcare.”

Perhaps most significantly, members receive an education award upon completing their service. This award can be applied to current education expenses or qualifying student loans, helping participants invest in their continued growth while they make a difference in your community.

Service That Leads to Careers

Harris-Land’s story is far from unique. Many AmeriCorps alumni have been hired into permanent positions at Legacy Community Health after completing their service. The program serves as a genuine career pipeline, allowing members to gain professional experience, build relationships, and demonstrate their commitment to community health.

As Texas’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center, Legacy provides comprehensive care across more than 50 locations in the Gulf Coast region, meaning there are abundant opportunities for growth and advancement for those who prove themselves through service.

“I really think everyone should try to serve at least one AmeriCorps term in their lives,” Harris-Land told 12News. “It was worth it.”

Join Our Team

Are you ready to gain professional health care experience while giving back to your community? Legacy’s AmeriCorps program offers flexible service terms ranging from 3 to 12 months, with members serving approximately 35 hours per week.

To learn more about available positions and apply, visit Legacy AmeriCorps or contact AmeriCorps Program Director Ashley Harris-Land at aharris@legacycommunityhealth.org.