AmeriCorps
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In the United States, AmeriCorps is a network of more than 3,000 non-profit organizations, public agencies, and faith-based organizations. It was created in 1993 by President Bill Clinton. More than 70,000 individuals join AmeriCorps each year. There have been more than 400,000 members since 1994. The work done by these groups ranges from public education to environmental clean-up[1].
AmeriCorps is a division of the Corporation For National and Community Service, which also oversees the Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. Collectively, these three programs represent a total of more than 2 million members in service each year. AmeriCorps itself is split into three main divisions -- AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps*VISTA, and AmeriCorps*NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps).
AmeriCorps has a long history that has roots in the early 1900s[2]. Research has illustrated that AmeriCorps programs have a variety of effects on civic education, education, and public service.[3]
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[edit] AmeriCorps Programs
[edit] AmeriCorps National
AmeriCorps*National provides grants directly to national public and service programs, Indian tribes, and consortia formed across two or more states, including faith-based and community organizations, higher education institutions, and public agencies. Grants assist these groups in recruiting, training and placing AmeriCorps members to meet critical community needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.[4] Hundreds of organizations across the nation have been awarded AmeriCorps National grants since the program's inception.
AmeriCorps*National accepts applications from:
- National nonprofit organizations that operate in two or more states
- Indian tribes
- Consortia formed across two or more states, consisting of institutions of higher education, or other nonprofits, including labor, faith-based and other community organizations
[edit] AmeriCorps State
AmeriCorps*State works with Governor-appointed State Service Commissions to provide grants to public and nonprofit organizations that sponsor service programs around the country, including hundreds of faith-based and community organizations, higher education institutions, and public agencies. Grants assist these groups in recruiting, training and placing AmeriCorps members to meet critical community needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.[5] Thousands of organizations and institutions across the U.S. have been awarded AmeriCorps State grants since the program's inception.
AmeriCorps*State operates through State Service Commissions in each state. The State Service Commissions accept applications from:
- State and local nonprofit organizations
- Community and faith-based organizations
- State, local, and higher education institutions
- State and local governments
- U.S. Territories
[edit] AmeriCorps NCCC
AmeriCorps*NCCC, or National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), is a full-time, team-based residential program for men and women age 18–24. Members live on one of four campuses, located in Denver, Colorado; Charleston, South Carolina; Sacramento, California; and Perry Point, Maryland.
[edit] AmeriCorps*VISTA
AmeriCorps*VISTA, or Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), provides full-time members to nonprofit, faith-based and other community organizations, and public agencies to create and expand programs that ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty. There are currently 1,200 VISTA programs nationwide.
[edit] Grantees
Since the creation of AmeriCorps in 1993 more than 250,000 individuals across the United States have served hundreds of communities in every state of the nation. The following programs, organizations, and institutions are examples of some of the types of grantees that have been awarded AmeriCorps funding:
- City Year
- YMCA
- Girl Scouts of America
- Boy Scouts of the USA
- Boys and Girls Club
- Big Brothers (US)
- Big Sisters (US)
- Camp Fire USA
- Habitat for Humanity
[edit] References
- ^ About AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps website
- ^ AmeriCorps Timeline, AmeriCorps website
- ^ AmeriCorps Longitudinal Study: Impacts on Members A fact sheet.
- ^ AmeriCorps National Programs, AmeriCorps website
- ^ AmeriCorps State Programs, AmeriCorps website
[edit] Related Articles
- Corporation for National and Community Service
- National Civilian Community Corps
- Volunteers in Service to America [VISTA]
- Youth service
- Service learning
- Community service
- National service
- Bill Clinton
- Volunteerism
