North grad serves in AmeriCorps

Nicholas Prechel, originally from Getzville deployed on March 3 for his first project of the year with the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps program.

Founded in 1994, AmeriCorps NCCC is a residential national service program created to improve the environment, enhance education, increase public safety, address unmet human needs and assist with disaster relief.

Prechel is serving as one of 36 team leaders at the central region campus in Denver, Colo. The other NCCC campuses are located in Perry Point, Md., and Sacramento, Calif.

As a team leader, Prechel will be responsible for managing the daily activities of 10 to 12 Corps members, and "encouraging high standards for their community-based service learning projects." Prechel will serve as a role model, educator, safety manager, and liaison between the campus and project sponsor.

Fifteen of the 29 NCCC teams will travel to continuing hurricane recovery projects on the Gulf Coast. Ten of the teams will travel to service projects throughout the central United States. The remaining four teams will work on projects in the greater Denver area. The seven team leaders not currently assigned to a team are assisting with program administration at the Denver campus and are on call to lead a composite team should a disaster strike.

Prior to joining the NCCC, Prechel attended Williamsville North High School and Fredonia State College. He is the son of Steven and Sue Prechel.

For more information about AmeriCorps NCCC, visit the Web site www.americorps.gov/nccc.