We at Notre Dame Mission Volunteers/AmeriCorps believe that education is the fundamental tool in the struggle for human dignity, self-esteem and self-determination. This unique, culturally rich site is located just 10 miles northwest of Orlando in the City of Apopka and reaches out to the low-income community of farm workers, immigrants, the working poor and their families. The families are primarily of Hispanic, Haitian and African-American descent. Members in Apopka have a primary work site where they do the lion's share of their service - in schools and area non-profit organizations. In addition, members have the opportunity to serve at each other's placements and participate in team service projects. In Apopka, members serve with a collaborative, supportive, and highly diverse team. There is a focus on learning and understanding the root causes of poverty and injustice. We serve others and, in the process, we ourselves are enriched. In the world today, collaboration, negotiation, respect of our differences and the skills to find common ground seem in short supply. The Apopka team meets every other Friday for the whole day to reflect on our service experiences, support one another, do service projects and work to develop our own capacities to collaborate, negotiate and respect and appreciate our differences. Home base for the Apopka team is Hope CommUnity Center, a grassroots organization founded nearly 50 years ago to serve the immigrant, farm worker and working poor communities in our area. Hope CommUnity Center's long history means that roots are deep; and this creates opportunities for our members to become immersed in this economically poor, culturally rich community Please visit our website (www.ndmva.org) for more information about the specific service sites available in Apopka and the full application process.