Giving back to country, humanity

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by Andre Clayton

Reporter

Twinsburg -- Andover Drive resident Nicole Adante has decided to give back to her country, beginning in Belmonte, Texas.

Adante, 22, who became a member of Americorps National Civilian Community Corps Feb. 4, said she is in the Lone Star State for Habitat for Humanity, where she is helping to rebuild houses that were damaged by Hurricane Rita a few years ago.

"We are applying shingles outside of houses, putting in door frames and cleaning the inside of houses," Adante said.

Adante said her one month of training in Denver prepared her for the trip, which is a collaboration between Americorps and Habitat for Humanity.

"In a classroom setting, they taught me things such as city mapping and how to use power tools," Adante said.

According to Americorps, Adante has to work 1,700 hours of service during the 10-month program to receive $4,725 for college tuition, which she will use for graduate school.

In Denver, she was assigned to the team "Earth 5," with nine members and one team leader who were all from different parts of the country.

"I have never been further west than Chicago," Adante said. "It was very difficult to leave my family and friends."

Adante graduated from Kent State University in June 2007, when she received a bachelor's degree in gerontology, which is the study of aging in humans.

After college she worked in senior care as a client care coordinator.

Adante said she left her full-time job Jan. 11 for Americorps NCCC because she wants "to see the country and give back to it."

After the Habitat for Humanity program is completed April 21, Adante said she and her team members will head back to the Americorps NCCC base in Denver.

"In the first week of May I will be working with the U.S. Forest Service in Netherland, Colo.," Adante said.

Adante, who became a Forest Service certified wild land firefighter March 7, said she will perform fire suppression, fire prevention and forest care until November, when the Americorps Fire Mitigation Program finishes.

Adante said she wants to remain a humanitarian, even after the Americorps program concludes.

"I plan to go back to grad school in January 2009 and get a masters in social work," Adante said.

E-mail: aclayton@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3172