"We are so proud of Raymond - a kid who grew up playing hockey and other sports at the Clark Park Recreation Center," stated Deb Sumner, CPC Volunteer President .  "He was one of our youth workers and now, as a young man, chooses to serve at the Clark Park Center as a leader, a teacher, a mentor, and to guide our youth by example, so all of our younger Clark Park kids can learn to lead with their best self.  Raymond leads youth groups to assist in community service projects within our park such as clean-ups, graffiti removal, painting, and other maintenance tasks.  Raymond monitors youth of all ages participating in various recreational and educational activities daily.  He also helps to feed over 100 youth through the summer lunch program."

Throughout the year, Raymond's service responsibilities vary.  During the summer and winter program seasons, he helps train and supervise selected Clark Park youth workers.  He oversees the ice maintenance of the Clark Park Outdoor Ice Hockey and Skating Rink, and secured his Ice Hockey Coach Certification from USA Hockey to provide hockey instruction to our co-ed hockey team players.  He also assists with the Beginners Ice Skating Program.  During the spring and fall seasons, Raymond utilizes his Soccer Coach Certification from Think Detroit/ PAL to assist over 30 Clark Park soccer teams that play in the league.  This past summer, he assisted the tennis coach, Mike Mossburg, with organizing Clark Park's first annual tennis tournament, and participated in the tournament within his age bracket.  In the fall, Raymond oversees the flag football and healthy nutrition programs.

Raymond has facilitated the Professional Development class for youth working through the Youth Development Commission with which CPC collaborates.  He works with the computer center tutoring and reading program, which engages youth to improve these necessary skills for success.  Raymond also serves as a member of the Michigan's AmeriCorps Member Council.  The Member Council is a statewide body of AmeriCorps members selected to serve as the liaison between their AmeriCorps program and the Michigan Community Service Commission. 

Deb Sumner goes on to say, "Raymond has excelled in his young life despite adversity and challenges that he has faced.  His love for music, singing, and songwriting has led him to produce his own inspiring songs, and he is the Founder and CEO of Prayz Productions.  His strong faith and moral values help to guide him to carry out the good work that inspires him to make a difference every day.  Raymond is a shining example of a young man that continues to blossom at Clark Park and one of CPC's youth legacies that we believe will continue to inspire all of us.

"Michigan's AmeriCorps Partnership is an invaluable program that gives our young people the opportunity to serve their communities, reach their potential, and reach for their dreams.  One of CPC's mottos is that we ‘teach our youth to dream,' and Raymond embodies our message wholeheartedly, leading with his best self each and everyday.  It is through his examples that we believe our younger youth will follow in his footsteps to reach for their dreams as well.  CPC could not be prouder of Raymond and we look forward to watching this young man reach all of his dreams!"

Following his second year of AmeriCorps, Raymond plans to attend Schoolcraft College where he will major in Music Production and Engineering. 

For more information about the Michigan AmeriCorps Partnership program, contact Program Director Addell Austin Anderson at (313) 593-0937 or addell@umich.edu . For more information on other AmeriCorps programs visit www.americorps.gov .