PMSC AmeriCorps members serve to address critical needs in health and wellness across Southwestern/ Southcentral, PA. Making lasting impacts to connect children, youth, and adults to critical resources in mental, physical, emotional, and social health, PMSC AmeriCorps members get things done to serve vulnerable community members in order to empower people to thrive.
In 2024-2025, PMSC’s 30th year of service, there are currently 15 PMSC AmeriCorps members serving in the Community Wellness field-- addressing needs in food insecurity, mental health, affordable housing, wellness through the arts,and empowering individuals with work readiness skills; they are mitigating negative effects of health crises and connecting community members of all ages to critical resources.
Kayla Amos serves as a part-time member with Johnstown-based Center for Population Health. Amos knew the position would empower her to “support and help [her] community,” as well as help her gain valuable experience in the Public Health field, her area of study as a current student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Kayla reports that the position has stretched her and helped her “break out of [her] comfort zone.”
At a recent food packing project in partnership with Hiram G. Andrews Center, Kayla packed “produce and then distributed all the items to the individuals who needed them.” Addressing food insecurity in Cambria County has helped Kayla to grow as a community leader and “a better community servant.”
Likewise, Zhorea McAnuff is a full-time member serving with UPMC Altoona Family Physicians as a Community Health and Wellness Outreach Coordinator AmeriCorps member. McAnuff “chose this opportunity because I have a lifelong passion of serving others and helping community members become more self-sufficient through health and wellness initiatives. As a first-generation American citizen, I feel a deep connection to my local community and want to be part of its positive development.”
McAnuff recently completed her Master’s of Organizational Leadership from Juniata College, and she is putting those skills into direct service-- connecting local Blair County residents with critical resource information about lead poisoning in a community where there are a large number of homes built before 1978 (the year lead-based paint was banned from use in homes).
McAnuff notes that, “There is no safe amount of Lead that can be in your body, yet the community members, specifically children are being exposed to lead at high levels, leading to lifelong health complications.” To address these health concerns, Zhorea “created a comprehensive resource brochure on lead exposure and poisoning prevention that includes information about common sources of lead poisoning, elevated blood lead level referral process, lead poisoning prevention tips, and contact information for free environmental lead inspections (ELIs), hazard remediation grants, and additional information for case management of a child with elevated blood lead levels.” She partnered with nearly a dozen local human service agencies to serve as connecting points for getting this critical resource into the hands of families who need it most.
Maximizing the opportunities for growth through service, McAnuff is taking full advantage of the community leaders she serves with, to grow and develop as a leader herself. She reports, “At my host site, you can find me moving from one office to another to obtain AFP’s staff, faculty, and resident physician perspectives on each project to ensure that initiatives appropriately and ethically address the needs of community members while contributing to the culture of community within my host site…I have built confidence in my leadership by leaning into my curiosity and compassion for helping to reduce the suffering of others.”
Kayla Amos and Zhorea McAnuff represent the creative, community-minded, resourceful, and powerful team of PMSC AmeriCorps 2024-2025 Community Wellness AmeriCorps members serving across the Southwestern and Southcentral, PA region. Each and everyday these members are getting things done--without accolades and fanfare but with humility, genuine concern, and increasing skill to bring out the very best of their communities--one person, one family, one conversation, one relationship at a time.
Zhorea McAnuff with representatives from UPMC Altoona Family Physicians at a local resource fair for Blair County community Members.
Kayla Amos at a Food Distribution event--connecting community members with healthy produce.