PeoriaCorps to Host Graduation on May 2

April 25, 2025 (Peoria, IL) The public is invited to attend the graduation ceremony for the 11th cohort of PeoriaCorps on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 1 p.m. in Twin Towers Mall, Room 420, 456 Fulton St.

PeoriaCorps staff, in coordination with Serve IL and AmeriCorps State and National, will honor five graduating AmeriCorps members of the program, Kendall Hood, Bradley Miller, Teryn Thomas, Steed Weeks, and Daighla Williams. During their program, they earned their OSHA 10 certification for General Industry and CPR First Aid certification, completed forklift safety training through Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, and finished the program with 4,500 hours served.

Launched in October 2017, the PeoriaCorps Program aims to provide a rewarding, service-based experience, career track, and opportunities for unemployed workers 18 years and older. Corps members have the opportunity, through hands-on training, to gain skills in environmental beautification/stewardship and green landscaping solutions. In addition to field work, members receive classroom training in green infrastructure maintenance and employability soft skills. For the past six months, this cohort has worked on green infrastructure projects that include planting trees, harvesting and planting native plants, and cleaning, weeding, and maintaining green infrastructure installations around the city of Peoria.

PeoriaCorps' 12th cohort began its service in February and will graduate in August. Applications for the following cohort will open in July, with new members expected to start in early September.

For more information on PeoriaCorps, contact Program Director Amanda Wilson, at (309) 494-8843 or by email.