Sam Buman - AmeriCorps Volunteer
Sam serves as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member at the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County. He works on the California Disability Collaboration Project, a pilot program with five participating California Volunteer centers that places people with disabilities into volunteer positions as a means of gaining meaningful employment.

Why did you decide to join national service? What appealed to you about your position?
I decided to participate in national service because I saw it as a way to build my resume.

What did you do at your project?
I have been working as a program coordinator at the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County on a program that works to place people with disabilities into volunteer positions in nonprofit agencies throughout Sonoma County. I have been working in an environment that is friendly and helpful. I have also been able to take advantage of the resources here at the Volunteer Center, which have included a grant writing class.

What was your greatest accomplishment during your term service?
I have been able to bring in local resources to support my program. I have been able to contribute my own knowledge as a person with a disability.

Accommodations
I have mild hemiplegic CP (right side). In terms of accommodations for my disability I didn't need any, but someone with the same kind of disability as I might benefit from the use of a one-handed keyboard to type on the computer.

What advice do you have for people with disabilities who are thinking about joining a national service program?
If you are a person with a disability who would like to participate in a national service project don't let the opportunity slip by you. Use your disAbility as a way to educate people that do not have disabilities. In other words GO FOR IT!!!

What advice do you have for national service programs that are considering bringing on members with disabilities?
Please keep an open mind and don't presume that just because a person has a disability it means that they can't accomplish something. People with disabilities don't always come out and say up-front that they need an accommodation. Please remember to ask if he or she is going to need any accommodations to do their job.

Anything else you'd like to tell people?
Enjoy your service!