Barnes Receives President’s Volunteer Service Award for 2023

Mon, 03/06/2023 - 08:24am | By: Van Arnold

Racheal Barnes, volunteer with the Training, Resources and Information for the Advancement of Disability (TRIAD) Service program, has been recognized with a 2023 President’s Volunteer Service Award in the Lifetime Achievement category.

Barnes served four years as a national service member with the TRIAD program and has been a volunteer for the past seven years. In addition to her volunteerism with AmeriCorps, she also has volunteered through various community organizations including the Petal YMCA, a total of over 7,000 hours of volunteer service since 2016.

Barnes was presented her award by Sonali Nijhawan, National Director, AmeriCorps State and National Programs. When asked why she continues to participate and volunteer, she stated “I just want to help others!”

The TRIAD Service AmeriCorps Program is a fully inclusive national service program focusing on providing health education to middle and high school students with disabilities. Members serve the partnering school districts in Forrest, Lamar, Harrison and Hancock Counties as well as the general community with monthly and seasonal volunteer opportunities. 

The program, funded through the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service, is part of the Mississippi UCEDD, the Institute for Disability Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi. For more information, please contact Dr. Jerry R. Alliston, Associate Director, at jerry.allistonFREEMississippi or 601.266.5979.