AmeriCorps Volunteer Programs are Essential
You guessed it—AmeriCorps is like the Peace Corps, except volunteers serve communities right here in the U.S. In addition to humanitarian efforts, such as education and public health, AmeriCorps service projects address diverse community needs such as public safety, disaster relief, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development.
How AmeriCorps works:
AmeriCorps volunteers must be U.S. citizens at least 17 years of age. There are no educational requirements—just your enthusiasm and commitment to the program. AmeriCorps offers both full and part-time opportunities, and depending on your placement, you’ll be eligible for a living allowance, student loan forbearance, health care, and an AmeriCorps educational award (which entitles you to use the funds for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified students loans). Specific awards and benefits depend on which program you choose to participate in, as AmeriCorps has several. Here’s the lowdown:
AmeriCorps State and National
Want to tutor kindergartners in St. Louis? Build affordable housing in Detroit? The AmeriCorps State and National programs might be right for you. You can search AmeriCorps’s enormous database to find volunteer opportunities in a specific field in a specific location. You can also search for part-time or full-time volunteer positions.
AmeriCorpsVISTA
AmeriCorpsVISTA was designed specifically to fight the war on poverty. Volunteers who choose VISTA won’t necessarily be on the front lines tutoring children or providing AIDS education, but they will be involved in the organizations that do. Basically, VISTA volunteers envision the programs that fight poverty by studying a community, identifying needs, developing programs, writing grants, obtaining funding, and training and recruiting volunteers. They build organizations from the ground up that will continue to serve the needs of the communities long after they’re gone. And, unlike other AmeriCorps volunteers, VISTA volunteers are able to choose between the AmeriCorps education award and a post-service stipend.
AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps)
AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, team-based residential program for 18- to 24-year-olds that lasts for 10 months. Once enrolled, NCCC volunteers are assigned to one of five campuses located in Denver, Colorado; Sacramento, California; Perry Point, Maryland; Vicksburg, Mississippi; or Vinton, Iowa. They are provided with housing, meals and a living allowance and are trained in CPR, first aid, and other skills. NCCC volunteers react immediately to national disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, and other critical needs projects. Typically, each team are sent out on from their base camp on different service projects, each one lasting 6-8 weeks, during their 10 months of service. If the project is far enough away from campus it’s called a “spike,” and volunteers will live on-site in dorms, residential housing, or in tents.
Benefits of serving in AmeriCorps:
AmeriCorps offers the same benefits as many other volunteer programs: the opportunity to build your resume, hone your skills, gain leadership experience, and make a difference in the lives of others. However, AmeriCorps lets you help with a variety of initiatives right here in the U.S. For those who don’t want to travel abroad, or can only make a part-time local commitment, AmeriCorps could be the perfect fit for you.
For more information on AmeriCorps, visit http://www.americorps.gov/.
