Last Best Alums 2026 Newsletter

Recently, several members of the Last Best Alumni Council had the privilege of attending the 2026 Montana Service Symposium, where the theme was “service never stops.” We were once again humbled by the passion, dedication, and humility of our AmeriCorps members throughout the state. We wrote cards to seniors to accompany their meal deliveries through Meals on Wheels, a vital program throughout Montana that provides food security to one of our most precious community groups. Presentations focused on civic engagement, Montana’s tribal nations, debunking myths around rural communities in Montana, and how to pursue a non profit career. We capped off with an alumni council featuring members of LBAC, inspiring hope and resilience for the future of service. The theme truly shined during these 3 days - seeing so many community members and alumni who are still serving in essential roles to create a better life for all Montanans. Thanks so much to the dedicated staff with the Governor's Office of Community Service for putting on another great event!

-Caleb 

Upcoming Events:

A goal of ours for 2026 is to host quarterly local alumni meet-up events! The first meet-up will take place this summer in Missoula! Keep an eye out for future emails from council members with details of events. 

Alumni Spotlight:

Ashley Mazzullo, Director of Youth Programs, Montana Conservation Corps

Who are you and what do you do?

• My name is Ashley Mazzullo and I am from Illinois. I first found my way to Montana through AmeriCorps and the Montana Conservation Corps in 2012. I was really unsure of what my path would be, and spending time in the woods felt like a great place to figure that out. I have worked for a lot of other outdoor programs centered around youth for over a decade. When MCC was hiring a Director of Youth Programs, I came back because I was excited about getting local Montana teens in the outdoors and serving their communities.

Tell us about your service with AmeriCorps?

• I was a Youth Crew Leader with Canyon Country Youth Corps in Utah, and that experience inspired me to be a Crew Member with MCC and learn more about conservation and the work we do. I served in the Bob Marshall Wilderness for a lot of the summer and it was really special. I loved learning more about remote wilderness areas in Montana and how they are managed. The community aspects that were woven into the program really helped me connect to the Flathead Valley community – because of my time with MCC, I returned 2 years later and never left!

What was one of your biggest challenges while serving with AmeriCorps?

• Thinking back on it, our crew had little conflicts here and there, but we all really got along and had a great experience together. The physical aspect of hiking and working in the backcountry is challenging; we had a wildland fire close to our crew and that was a first – I had never experienced being that close to a wildfire and it was really eye opening. I can’t remember one challenge that was terrible; most were manageable things that our crew could problem solve on our own. It was a great experience with figuring things out; it definitely stuck with me, and helped me in my future careers!

What were some of the things you gained while serving with AmeriCorps?

• I gained a lot of experience – working with a group of people, working through challenges that come up in a remote environment, the value of being able to connect with people who are different from you. I learned about the importance of different perspectives, compassion, and understanding. I also learned how nice it is to do physical hard work and see the direct impact. I had never done that before growing up in the Midwest.

What is exciting for you in your current work? New developments?

• MCC is making an intentional pivot in youth programs to weave in elements of work-based learning. This is something we have always done – helping young people gain career skills for their future. But, we are incorporating this in a more concrete way to help young people use their learning through a term of service to help with future employment and careers. Having a model that encompasses getting teens out in the woods working with their hands but combining that with practical employability skills will be really useful for them!

Why should a young person elect to a term of service right now?

• There are so many reasons – the connection to people and real human interactions in their communities and peers; the relationships you develop are so incredibly valuable. You also get a chance to really develop professionally, especially if you are unsure of what you want to do. This is a really great pathway to try something new and get valuable experience in a welcoming environment.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a new service member?

• Trust the process and come into the experience with a willingness to grow.

Program Spotlight 

Community Health Corps Montana (CHCM)

Community Health Corps Montana is in their first year of program in Montana. CHCM has three core strategies:

1. Expand Organizational Capacity for More Efficient & Impactful Programming.

2. Strengthen Community Engagement and Understanding to Reduce Stigma and Improve Health Outcomes.

3. Enhance Collaboration To Drive Sustainable Community Health Impact And Improve Resource Sharing

Housed out of the Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center at Montana State University, they spent 2025 doing extensive outreach across Montana. Over 100 public health leaders, rural hospitals, tribal health partners, nonprofits, and community stakeholders contributed input through discovery calls, focus groups, and data review. The program is grounded in real community-identified needs and designed to strengthen local capacity in sustainable ways.

They currently have nine AmeriCorps members serving in: Crow Agency, Bozeman, Pablo, Sidney, and Missoula. The 2026 CHCM cohort brings together recent graduates, career changers, and community-rooted leaders. Some arrived with public health training. Others with communications, social work, education, or lived experience in rural or tribal communities. Together, they are strengthening Montana’s health systems from the ground up. 

For more information about Community Health Corps Montana (CHCM) and their members, please visit:  https://healthinfo.montana.edu/chcm/members.html

Serve Montana Update:

Threshold of Life Memorial  - A symbol of hope for those who are waiting

The Governor's Office of Community Service is intent on building an outdoor memorial on the State Capitol grounds. The Threshold of Life Memorial design, by Bozeman-based architect Ken VanDeWalle, considers the sloping topography of the Capitol park area and creates a reflective space for all. The design is an inclusive memorial to honor past, present, and future individuals impacted by organ donation and will serve as a symbol of hope and honor for generations of Montanans for years to come.Has your life been touched by organ, eye, and tissue donation? Visit our website to share your story and contribute to this memorial.

Learn more about our office and the Threshold of Life Memorial through this segment of Aging Horizons.

Exciting news! Donate Life Montana has our own license plate. The profit from the license plates will go towards fundraising for the memorial and educational and outreach of organ, eye, and tissue donation. Look for the plate when you register your vehicle! You can find it on the Montana Department of Motor Vehicles website here.

Like the Threshold of Life Memorial on Facebook to stay informed on the progress!

Threshold of Life Memorial

Commission Update:

Points of Light is conducting two national surveys to understand how people and organizations engage in service. These surveys will increase understanding in how individuals serve communities, how organizations recruit and support volunteers, what drives participation, and what barriers stand in the way.

Ultimately, they will influence the National Volunteer Strategy.

Please take the survey that fits you best and share it with your networks. Broad participation ensures the strategy reflects the realities of people and organizations nationwide.

1. One survey is for individuals who volunteer, formally or informally. The other is for organizations or practitioners who manage volunteers.

2. Both surveys are here, https://publicinput.com/reimaginingservice2035?utm_source=chatgpt.com [publicinput.com]

To learn more about Points of Light, and the Reimagining Service Project which includes this survey visit, https://www.pointsoflight.org/reimagining-service/ [pointsoflight.org]

Consider contributing to, and sharing, this opportunity to support a memorial for organ donors in MT: Threshold of Life Memorial

FY2027 Commissioner Sign-on Letter: the full letter is snipped below, and this list is those who indicated yes to having their name listed. 

MONTANA

Autumn Bahr, Helena, MT

Dawn English, Butte, MT

Morgan Hubbard, Forsyth, MT (Chair)

Clifford Kipp, Kalispell, MT

Rob Lawler, Helena, MT (Vice Chair)

Jim Larson, Billings, MT

Pete Pace, Great Falls, MT

Thomas Risberg, Great Falls, MT

Jake Strissel, Havre, MT

Jim Swan, Box Elder, MT

Vicki Turner, Helena, MT

Don Wetzel Jr, Helena, MT

Congressional Legislation related to AmeriCorps/National Service:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act: https://voicesforservice.org/legislative-updates/congress-reintroduces-americorps-education-award-tax-relief-act-for-the-119th-congress/

• ACTION for National Service Act: https://voicesforservice.org/legislative-updates/action-for-national-service-act-reintroduced-in-house-senate-for-the-119th-congress/

Dates to note:

• March 31, ServeMontana Award nomination deadline, make one or more nominations here, https://serve.mt.gov/commission-initiatives/ServeMontana-Awards

• April 24, 11am Gift of Life Ceremony: Presented by Lieutenant Governor Juras in partnership with LifeCenter Northwest at the Kleffner Ranch, East Helena.

• June 11: Commission on Community Service meeting, 1pm start in Helena.

Legislative Update:

Momentum Builds for AmeriCorps in the 119th Congress

Two major pieces of legislation were reintroduced this March, signaling growing bipartisan support for strengthening national service and expanding access to education benefits for AmeriCorps members.

First, Representatives Don Bacon (R NE) and John Larson (D CT) reintroduced the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act. This bill would make the AmeriCorps Education Award tax exempt, bringing it in line with benefits like the Pell Grant and GI Bill.

Right now, members are taxed on the award when they use it, often creating unexpected financial strain. For many, especially those from low income backgrounds, this tax burden can delay or derail education plans. Removing it would make service a more accessible pathway to higher education and career development.

In addition, Senator Jack Reed (D RI) and Rep. Larson reintroduced the ACTION for National Service Act, an ambitious proposal to expand and modernize AmeriCorps. The bill outlines a vision to grow national service to one million members annually, increase living allowances, and significantly enhance the value of the education award, potentially covering up to four years of in state public college tuition for those completing two terms of service.

The legislation also proposes making both living stipends and education awards tax free, expanding outreach to young people, and elevating AmeriCorps to a Cabinet level agency.

Together, these efforts aim to reduce financial barriers, strengthen workforce pathways, and position national service as a cornerstone of civic engagement and economic opportunity.