By April Duncan, Elma High School Intern
Whether you’ve just graduated from high school or college, there are many benefits to serving communities at home and across the country through AmeriCorps. With opportunities to gain hands on experience, earn scholarships for school and even pay off your students loans, AmeriCorps offers myriad opportunities for young adults to get experience in the field while making a positive difference in the communities they serve.
AmeriCorps provides many services to youth and the community. The program, which is supported by the US government, has a primary mission is to improve lives, help strengthen communities, and maintain the health of our nation. AmeriCorps members serve in one of five focus areas:
- Disaster Services
- Economic Opportunity
- Environmental Stewardship
- Education
- Veterans and Military Families.
With a variety of AmeriCorps programs offered in all of Washington’s 39 counties, getting involved with this national program is easy.
In Grays Harbor, the Washington Conservation Corps is a program offered through AmeriCorps and operated by the Department of Ecology. Locally, there are five members that are each stationed in different areas throughout the county. This is a group of diverse young adults who enjoy the opportunity to “get their foot in the door.” They are achieving connections and education for their future careers. These individuals serve four days a week, 10 hours per day, performing environmental services like helping with with fish hatcheries and nature restoration projects like planting trees. Generally, these members are ages 19 to 25, but veterans returning from military service can be any age. They receive experience and training that they can use towards their careers. Certificates and informational courses are provided during the AmeriCorps service.
“People get what they need through hard work and determination,” says Department of Ecology, Washington Conservation Corps member Brandy Dier. “AmeriCorps is a good way for that to happen… [We] help everyone in every situation.”
Cody Pickering, also a member of the Department of Ecology, likes to “have the knowledge to help people” that AmeriCorps and the Washington Conservation Corps provides. He, and the whole Grays Harbor Ecology team, believe that they can put the skills they are learning to good use, aiding those in need.
AmeriCorps has many benefits. Depending on the program, benefits such as living allowances, training, limited health benefits and loan deferment may be available. After completing a term of service, the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is awarded, which can help with paying for college, student loans, vocational training and graduate school. The Education Award is set at $5,730 for the 2015 to 2016 school year.
AmeriCorps programs are currently seeking people who are talented, dedicated, skilled, patriotic, and energetic workers regardless of a person’s age, gender, ethnicity, job market experience, or geographical area.
“Although I have not served in AmeriCorps, I have had the privilege of working in state and national service programs for the last 25 years,” explains Debbie Schuffenhauer, Executive Director of Serve Washington. “I have witnessed the transformative power of the service and volunteering and how it can change the lives of those receiving services — but also those who are providing service. It helps to create engaged citizens which in turn builds stronger communities.”
With more than 700 members, Washington Service Corps is the largest statewide AmeriCorps program. These members serve in nearly every county in the state, including one at the WorkSource office in Aberdeen. Washington Service Corps has members serving in each of the five AmeriCorps focus areas.
What is required?
Generally, AmeriCorps programs require a commitment of 10 months to a year. During that time, members are generally expected to serve in a full-time capacity, with a total of at least 1,700 service hours during their term. In some programs, members can have a part-time job or attend college outside of AmeriCorps, but school and other jobs must not interfere with their service commitment.
How to apply
Each program has its own recruitment and selection process based on the specific qualifications of the position. Check out the Washington Service Corps recruitment listings or the My AmeriCorps member portal to find opportunities and to apply.
