SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Reginald McCray of Ferriday recently began an 11-month term of national service in FEMA Corps, an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) program.

FEMA Corps provides a boost to the nation’s ability to assist disaster survivors while expanding career opportunities for young people. Based out of the Pacific Region campus in Sacramento, McCray began his first project the March 17.

During his term of service, McCray, 23, will lead a team of 18 to 24 year olds in projects nationwide. They will assist citizens and communities that have been impacted by disasters, as well as provide administrative and logistical support to the nation’s emergency management system.

Serving on teams of 10 to 12 people, FEMA Corps members both travel to disaster-affected communities and support longer-term recovery operations across the country. Projects range from helping disaster survivors apply for FEMA assistance to mapping of disaster-stricken areas to sharing disaster preparedness and mitigation information with the public.

McCray arrived at the AmeriCorps NCCC Pacific Region campus in Sacramento on Jan. 14 and completed specialized training in teamwork, leadership development, communication, service learning, and in disaster survivor assistance. McCray will serve on several projects in various locations throughout the United States depending on where a disaster strikes.

“My first year of national service was so fulfilling I wanted to continue my service,” McCray said while in his second term.

Prior to joining FEMA Corps, McCray graduated from Ferriday High School in 2010.