National AmeriCorps Week

National AmeriCorps week is March 10-18, today marks the end of national AmeriCorps week. AmeriCorps is a national volunteer program that is funded through the government and partner agencies. With over 75,000 positions across the country, AmeriCorps volunteers work to improve communities on the grass-roots level through local and national nonprofit groups. By working to improve literacy and healthcare, fighting poverty and building community relationships, AmeriCorps volunteers gain valuable work experience while giving back to their communities. Participants earn a small living stipend for dedicating six months to a year of their lives to serving their community.

So what does an AmeriCorps member really do?

Molly started her AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) year in November 2011 at HOME. VISTA is a branch of AmeriCorps that focuses on fighting poverty. She works with HOME to improve and increase youth volunteerism, improve the volunteer structure at HOME, increase employment opportunities for young people and build positive and supportive relationships with the youth at HOME. This means attending community meetings, spending time with youth at HOME, planning fun volunteer projects and helping youth gain work experience in the community. Currently she is working to develop a volunteer internship program at Center 50+ in Salem for interested youth and helping to coordinate volunteer efforts by the community at HOME.

Molly’s VISTA position is split between HOME and another nonprofit in Salem: HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley, which is a volunteer action center for Polk, Yamhill, and Marion counties. Both HandsOn and HOME are programs of Community Action Agency. This is just one AmeriCorps position. There are thousands of other positions within AmeriCorps throughout the country.

Recent high school graduates can serve with AmeriCorps' National Civilian Community Corps. College graduates may serve in AmeriCorps' VISTA or AmeriCorps' national programs, and seniors can contribute to their communities through the Senior Corps program.

To find out more about AmeriCorps positions or to apply visit www.americorps.gov

If you are a recent graduate looking for a meaningful first job experience or a professional looking for a way to contribute to your community, AmeriCorps is a great avenue to challenge yourself and serve your country.