On Friday, August 17, the White House welcomed more than 150 AmeriCorps Alumni leaders from 25 states for a day-long briefing.  

Since 1994, more than 775,000 Americans have served in AmeriCorps, and more than 80,000 will serve this year. The event highlighted AmeriCorps Alumni and public service as a pathway to opportunity and career advancement.  

As part of the day-long program, the White House honored Christine Riley–director of corporate social responsibility at Dunkin' Brands–as one of 12 AmeriCorps Alums who are “Champions of Change.” These extraordinary leaders demonstrate how AmeriCorps alumni have leveraged their national service experience to become influential in their careers and leaders in their communities.  

They had the opportunity to share their stories with administration officials and AmeriCorps members across the country.

The Champions of Change program was created to honor ordinary Americans doing great work in their communities.  

Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.

“President Obama has always been a strong supporter of the AmeriCorps program and the role members play in strengthening communities across our country,” says Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Public Engagement Jon Carson. “We’re excited to honor 12 AmeriCorps Alums who are continuing in the spirit of their AmeriCorps pledge to ‘get things done for America’ as leaders in the public, for-profit, and nonprofit sectors, and to celebrate AmeriCorps as a pathway to opportunity for those who serve.”

To engage people around the country in the conversation about AmeriCorps and public service opportunities, the White House hosted a Google+ Hangout with AmeriCorps members and alumni.