Et cetera : NCCC Corps Class 21 Team Leader Spotlight: Kenzie Abraham

By: Marilyn Ponce

Name: Cameron “Kenzie” Abraham

Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA

Kenzie from Lawrenceville, Georgia is serving on team Maple 3 in AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Class 21. He arrived in Vinton in January of 2015 to start his 11-month service term with the program. Maple 3 is made up of eight people from across the country who serve together around the Midwest.

This is not Kenzie’s first experience with NCCC and national service, he served as a FEMA corps member in the Southwest region last year in Denver, Colorado. Before he began his journey with national service, he graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice from Middle Georgia State College. As a team leader, Kenzie brings a sense of humor and creative problem solving strategies to help resolve issues.

Kenzie says, “I loved my first term with FEMA Corps, so I wanted to join for a second term as a team leader and gain leadership experience.”

Maple 3 served on the first part of their project in Cedar Rapids with the Iowa Innovation Learning Center. The team helped pack supplies and organize boxes by entering them into an inventory and assisted in loading all of the boxes and equipment to the loading dock. Team members developed a science curriculum during spring break to help teach children the various related topics in a fun, creative and innovative way. This team was also responsible for sanding, priming and painting bookcases that would be used in their new location as well as organizing what furniture or science exhibits would be donated, thrown away or sold.

For the second part, the team served with the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity and Rock the Block program. The team constructed homes for low income families from the ground up. They also beautified the community by laying down sod and landscaping yards.

They are currently on their second project in Columbus, Ohio serving with Franklinton Gardens to beautify the landscape by weeding, mowing the lawns, gardening and installing ornamentals plants. They are also planting various fruits and vegetables on the urban farm like sweet potatoes, black raspberries, and almond trees. Finally, the team is installing a new community plot garden and rehabilitating residential structures to house harvested and growing crops.

After completing the program in November, he plans on going to graduate school.

Some fun facts about Kenzie:

Q: What is your favorite TV show and why? NCIS, it’s police procedural that spotlights the military. The personality and dynamics between the characters is interesting to watch unfold throughout each episode.

Q: What song best describes you? Sacre Coeur by Tina Dico. It’s a song about finding your voice in life.

Q: If you could have a superpower what would it be and why? Super strength, I am already really strong by more is better.

Q: What is the most challenging and/or exciting thing you have done? Coaching football at my old high school

Q: What is one thing you can’t live without? My sketchpad is my lifeline

Q: What is one thing you would like to try but have not had the chance? I would love to go rock climbing.