Monda Holsinger is the Program Director of Federal Way School District’s 70 member AmeriCorps State team in Federal Way, Washington.  She is an amazing leader and outstanding example of AmeriCorps and what it can accomplish.  She puts her heart and soul into her work and has been a galvanizing force in bringing together a community to serve Federal Way youth.  Through years of determination, she has developed effective relationships with schools, city leaders, Habitat for Humanity and one seriously troubled neighborhood called Westway that was in desperate need of someone who cared.

Monda’s members serve in 33 schools within the Federal Way District and three after school programs.  In the 2009-2010 year alone, her team tutored nearly 5,000 struggling students.  Ninety-five percent of these were rated by their teachers as improving in attitudes and behaviors and 91% were rated as meeting established benchmarks or improving by at least one grade level.  To give additional support to students from underserved populations hoping to be the first in their families to attend college, Monda’s members participate in the district’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Program.  This school reform program was initiated seven years ago and has since been implemented in every secondary school.  This effort has been so successful that two Federal Way schools have earned National Demonstration status among the 124 AVID demonstration schools nationally.   Much-deserved acknowledgement was given to the AmeriCorps AVID coaches for this achievement.

Monda is a woman of excellence and does all in her power to see that each AmeriCorps member strives for excellence as well.  Members receive extensive training and focused support to help them excel during their term and instill service values that will continue throughout their lives.  Not only do members give their all to struggling students in the classroom on a daily basis, they participate in numerous substantive service projects in the community.  They clean up and renovate parks, upgrade facilities and provide youth activities in low income neighborhoods like Westway, create community gardens, and raise funds for students unable to pay for extracurricular activities.  The team’s 2010 Sweets for Success event raised over $16,000 for extracurricular activities.  All members also receive Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training so they can help in the case of a disaster.  The commitment and dedication of the staff and 70 member team have a wide-ranging impact on Federal Way. 

The Washington Service Corps has had the pleasure of working with Monda for many years.  She has never wavered in her support for her members, her community and the belief that AmeriCorps members can make a valuable difference.  She never rests on past accomplishments and is always looking for ways to improve the prospects of students.  Her program has been a consistent top performer in tutoring success, member retention and community accomplishments outside the school system.  Monda provides a great example of getting things done through AmeriCorps and is very deserving of the recognition given by the Service Impact Award.  Please give her your utmost consideration.