Press Release: 5/21/2025

A Legacy of Service: The Impact of United Way's Americorps Program

 

BY LUISA MUÑOZ

MAY 20 2025

In 2013, the City of Lynn saw a rising number of newcomer and multilingual learner (ML) students, creating a pressing need for support beyond district capacity. 

 

 

In response, United Way of Massachusetts Bay partnered with Lynn Public Schools, the Massachusetts Service Alliance, and local nonprofits to launch the United Way AmeriCorps Program with a mission to support multilingual learners both during the school day and in out-of-school time programs.  

 

 

What began as a city-based initiative soon evolved into a regional effort. From 2013 to 2025, the United Way AmeriCorps Program left a lasting legacy across Lynn, Salem, and Gloucester. Each year, 15 to 25 Fellows stepped into schools and community spaces, providing individualized academic and social-emotional support to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Together, they reached a total of 3,427 multilingual learners. 

 

 

This year was intended to mark the final chapter for the United Way AmeriCorps Program, with Fellows completing their service in July and the program officially winding down in August. However, in April 2025, we were notified that the federal government had terminated more than 1,000 AmeriCorps programs across all 50 states—affecting over 32,000 AmeriCorps members serving their communities. United Way’s AmeriCorps Program was among those affected. 

 

 

While this is not the closing we had envisioned, United Way is committed to a smooth and respectful closeout. We are leveraging internal resources to ensure that Fellows, students, and partners have time and support to transition thoughtfully and prepare for what comes next. 

 

 

POSITIVE IMPACT ON STUDENTS IN LYNN, SALEM AND GLOUCESTER 

 

Over a span of 12 years, 179 AmeriCorps Fellows joined United Way’s team, dedicating a collective 260,672 recorded hours of national service—equivalent to roughly 11,000 days, providing critical capacity to the nonprofits and school districts where they worked. 

 

 

Fellows built meaningful relationships, mentored students, supported English language development, and served as vital connectors between schools, families, and OST providers. Their impact was transformative—for students, communities, and the Fellows themselves. 

 

 

The outcomes were overwhelmingly positive:  

 

• 88%–95% of students each year maintained or improved critical social-emotional skills such as relationship-building and self-regulation. 
  
  
  
  
  
  

• 94% of students said their Fellow helped them succeed in school. 
  
  
  
  
  
  

• 88% students felt more confident using English. 
  
  
  
  
  
  

• 92% agreed school became more fun and enjoyable because of their Fellow. 
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

Fellows served in culturally and linguistically diverse environments, where more than eight languages—including Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, and Haitian Creole—were spoken. Their cultural competence and empathy were key to meeting students’ needs and supporting their success.  

 

 

A PATHWAY FOR YOUNG LEADERS 

 

This wasn’t just a service program—it was also a launchpad into professional life for young adults, especially those without access to traditional career paths. With just a high school diploma, Fellows stepped into roles in education, human services, and social impact. 

 

 

Nearly half—46%—are now working in education or nonprofit roles. Another 36% went on to pursue higher education, and 18% were so committed, they came back for another term. 

 

 

Behind these stats are inspiring stories—Alexis, Brian, Winni, and Silvie—whose journeys reflect growth, resilience, and dedication.  

 

Silvie P. served for two years at the New American Center in Lynn while studying social work at UMass Boston. She describes her service as a “human project,” shaped by the unique lives of the immigrant and refugee clients she supports. 

 

 

For Silvie, the work has never been about centering herself—it’s about the stories, the faces, and the quiet resilience of the kids she meets every day.  

 

 

Winni G. grew up as the eldest daughter of immigrant parents, quietly learning how to carry a lot of family responsibilities from a young age. That lived experience shaped her service at Collins Middle School, where she worked closely with Multilingual Learners. Working with these students reminds her of her own journey— navigating a new language and shouldering responsibilities that felt heavy for someone so young. 

 

 

Brian U. began his childcare journey in 2019 with a job at the YMCA’s Out-of-School Time program. He attended Northshore Community College during this third year of Americorps service, and working with kids in various roles has taught him not only about the work but also about patience, empathy, and more about himself. 

 

 

Alexis B. never felt safe at school and struggled academically and socially for years. “I counted the days until I could legally drop out,” she says. It wasn’t until she was diagnosed with anxiety and placed in a special education classroom that she finally felt seen and understood—a teacher who saw her as a person, not a number. That experience shaped her path.  

 

 

Through AmeriCorps, Alexis dove into Social Emotional Learning and found her life transformed. Working with Multilingual Learners, she’s embraced new languages and cultures—and witnessed the incredible strength of students facing loss, displacement, and the challenge of a new language.  

 

 

These are just a few of the Fellows whose paths were shaped by the program. Each story speaks volumes about the power of belonging, mentorship, and giving back. 

 

 

GRATITUDE AND LOOKING FORWARD 

 

As we close this chapter, we carry forward its legacy. Our commitment to championing holistic pathways for youth and advocating for inclusive, community-rooted programs remains stronger than ever. 

 

 

The end of the program is not the end of its impact—it lives on in every life it touched, every leader it inspired, and every community it helped strengthen. 

 

 

To every Fellow, partner, educator, and student—thank you. Your impact continues to ripple outward. 

 

 

This collective impact was only possible because of deep collaboration with our partners—districts, nonprofits, and state service allies. We’re especially grateful to Lynn, Salem, and Gloucester Public Schools for their partnership in 11 schools over the years, the Massachusetts Service Alliance, and our nonprofit partners: New American Association of Massachusetts, LEAP for Education, Gregg Neighborhood House, RAW Art Works, Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts, Demakes Family YMCA in Lynn, Girls Inc. of Lynn, La Vida Scholars, Lynn Housing and Neighborhood Development, North Shore YMCA (Salem) and Salem Sound Coastwatch.