Michigan's AmeriCorps Site Supervisor of the Month

As the Education Coordinator for the CAN (Child Abuse & Neglect) Council in Saginaw County, Danelle Elliot is responsible for overseeing the Baby Think it Over program. This program is used in schools to help educate students about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs on a fetus. After the presentation, students are given baby simulators to take home over the weekend. Danelle supervises the AmeriCorps members from the Saginaw Substance Abuse Prevention program who help do the Baby Think it Over presentations.

Danelle works hard to make an impact on the Saginaw community and is well-respected by her co-workers and peers. She truly understands the mission of the AmeriCorps program and sees the value of having AmeriCorps members serve as Substance Abuse Prevention Assistants. "Having the AmeriCorps members serve at our agency has allowed to us reach more youth and parents through our programming," Danelle stated. "We could not have done this otherwise!"

Danelle also incorporates the members into other aspects of the CAN Council. Several members helped coordinate this year's first annual Baby Academy. This event connected first-time parents with medical, parental, and other relevant resources to help them understand how to properly care for their infants. AmeriCorps members sat on the planning team, put together materials and handouts, contacted vendors, enlisted presenters, and even did set up and tear down.

"Danelle never stops empowering the AmeriCorps members serving at the CAN Council," stated AmeriCorps member Rachel Wenzlick. "She involves her members in every aspect of what she does and provides them with hands-on experience and training."

For more information about the Saginaw Substance Abuse Prevention AmeriCorps program, contact program director Joshua Hales at jhales@unitedwaysaginaw.org. For more information about AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov.