Staff: Nichole Greene, Project Director of Michigan AmeriCorps Foreclosure Corps
Nichole joined CEDAM as the AmeriCorps Program Director in September 2009. The Michigan AmeriCorps Foreclosure Corps was designed to increase the capacity of non-profit housing counseling agencies and provide foreclosure prevention and intervention activities to distressed homeowners in Michigan. Nicole is responsible for supporting 20 AmeriCorps members serving at certified non-profit housing counseling agencies throughout Michigan. She works directly with each agency on member recruitment, placement and development; developing ongoing trainings for members; and providing ongoing program evaluation and reporting support.
Nichole brings more than six years of AmeriCorps experience to the Michigan Foreclosure Corps: serving for two years as an AmeriCorps member; Training and Program Manager for City Year Detroit and Service Director at City Year Los Angeles. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Social Relations from Michigan State University's James Madison College.
Q&A with Nichole:
What drives your passion for neighborhood / community and economic development?
Having been fortunate enough to have grown up in a close-knit community I believe very strongly in the power of the each citizen being proud of and invested in their own communities. Also, as an AmeriCorps almuna I understand what an important role members can play in community revitalization. Because of this I am thrilled to take on the challenge of working with housing counseling agencies across the state to help families and communities fight foreclosure. The opportunity for AmeriCorps members to make a real difference in the foreclosure crisis is tremendous and I am very glad to be a part of it.
Why do you love Michigan?
I love Michigan because it is an incredibly unique state, rich with it's own mid-western character. I feel as though the state has been shaped but not defined by any single success or loss, which is the hallmark of anything great. I also really appreciate that Michigan experiences all 4 seasons!
How do your family and/or community inspire your work?
The pride that my parents, our neighbors and friends show for the communities that they live and work in is remarkable. I only hope that the work that I do contributes to establishing and maintaining that sense of pride in others.
What do you do in your free time (if it exists!)?
I recently returned to Ypsilanti, MI from Pasadena, CA, and after two years away, quite a few things have changed. I'm spending a lot of my free time exploring creating new "favorites" for my homestate and catching up with friends.