What is AmeriCorps

 

If you’re thinking of becoming an AmeriCorps member but don’t quite understand what AmeriCorps is, or how you fit in, consider what all AmeriCorps members have in common.  AmeriCorps members are Americans of all ages who have made a commitment to serve their communities and country.  Since 1994, more than 100,000 people have served in AmeriCorps.  AmeriCorps members range in age from seventeen to older than ninety.  Some have college degrees; others have a high school diploma or a GED.  They reflect the diversity of America in age, ethnicity, education, race, gender, and religion.

 

The AmeriCorps program is funded by a national competitive grant from the Corporation for National Services. Volunteers provide individual and small group tutoring services to preschool through twelfth grade students who are at-risk for academic failure in reading and math.  AR Future Teacher Initiative AmeriCorps program is a very unique and fulfilling program not only designed to raise test scores in school aged children grades preschool through twelfth, but to entice all ages to become future educators.  Due to the teacher shortage across the state of Arkansas, AR Smart Start and AR Future Teacher Initiative AmeriCorps is working to help bridge the gap of teachers in education.

 

AmeriCorps has four main goals:

 

Getting Things Done

SEARK AmeriCorps members help communities solve problems in the area of education by serving directly and by getting other people to serve as volunteers.

 

Strengthening Communities

AmeriCorps members help unite individuals from all different backgrounds—and organizations of all kinds—in a common effort to improve communities.

 

Encouraging Responsibility

AmeriCorps members explore and exercise their responsibilities to their communities, their families and themselves—during their service experience and throughout their lives.

 

Expanding Opportunity

 AmeriCorps helps those who help America.  AmeriCorps members receive awards to further their education or to pay back student loans.  They also gain valuable job experience, specialized training, and other skills.

 

Your Commitment

As an AmeriCorps member, you are expected to serve 1700 hours as a full-time member or 900 hours as a part-time member during a program year (11 months). 

 

 

Your Assignment

As an AmeriCorps member, you will serve in an elementary school in southeast Arkansas.  You will work with students in grades prek-12 in the areas of reading and math.  Helping children through one-on-one and small group tutoring is a major service SEARK AmeriCorps members provide.  You will complete a service project, help distribute information and speak to high school students, assist teachers with assessments and evaluations on students, be a positive role model for children, gain experience in the education field and attend training.  Members are expected to serve their full year of service with the program.

 

 

Your Benefits

AmeriCorps is a volunteer service organization; therefore, you will not receive a wage or a salary.  However, you will receive a living allowance to be paid in eleven equal installments.  You will also receive an education stipend to be used to further your education or to pay on past educational loans.  You will have up to seven years to use this award.  Two years is the maximum a member may serve in any state or national AmeriCorps program.

 

• Members are required to serve a minimum of 900 hours
• Members will receive 11 living allowance installments of $548  ($6,035)
• Members will receive an education award of $2,362.50 once completed all program requirements
• Year long experience in the education field

 

 

 

 

 

 

·        Who Can Apply
These volunteers must be 17 years of age or older with a high school diploma, highly dependable, hard working and seeking a career in the education field.

·        What Items are Needed to Serve

Driver’s License

High School Diploma

Birth Certificate

Social Security Card

TB Skin Test

Background Check prior to starting

·        Where Do I Go to Sign Up

Visit your local elementary principal’s office and pick up a classified or non-certified application.  Fill out the application and leave with the principal.  You will then be called back for an interview with the principal and staff.  If interested in serving in the program, applicants are encouraged to start applying in the spring. 

·        Program’s Start/End Date

The program will start September 1, 2008 and continue through August 31, 2009.