What are AmeriCorps, what do they do and how do communities benefit?

AmeriCorps, formally known as the Corporation for National and Community Service, is a civilian community-service-oriented program that places volunteers or service members in towns and cities across the country to address problems related to poverty, environmental harm, support for veterans and military families, and education. Additionally, some volunteers support disaster relief areas to support communities after a natural disaster.

Details on the program

Most of the programs are geared toward young adults who are at the earlier stages of their careers, while others target seniors who, with their spare time, hope to get more involved in their community.

How much do members earn?

The benefits offered to those who serve are described by the organization as “modest,” with the salaries typically around the poverty level in the communities where they are placed. Aside from the NCCC program, which accepts volunteers between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six, housing is not offered to members. This means that those interested in participating in the program must live on a salary that is often between $16,000 and $30,000, with many positions offering an income on the lower side of the spectrum.

An AmeriCorps VISTA member, whose projects focus on poverty alleviation, makes $1350 a month, or around $8.43 an hour. Those who are working in places where the cost of living is higher, like Los Angeles, will receive more to increase their purchasing power to those of members in other areas. Before inflation took hold in the United States, critiques of the low incomes offered to AmeriCorps members had been raised, but now few defenses justify such low salaries.

What sorts of benefits are provided to communities?

The benefits provided depend on which of the six areas AmeriCorp focuses on within a given community.

Economic Opportunity and Education

Those involved in AmeriCorps programs that aim to increase economic opportunities are often placed in roles where they help to foster digital literacy, as many jobs today require at least basic knowledge of computers and how to navigate the internet. Additionally, since many members are college graduates, they are often placed in positions where they can help others continue their education by providing tutoring to those interested in pursuing their GED. Career advice, such as hosting resume workshops or helping community members practice for job interviews, is another common responsibility for members.

Volunteers are also placed in local primary and secondary schools to support teaching staff and serve as mentors for students.

During tax season, members often set up clinics to help individuals file their taxes to ensure they receive the maximum return they are entitled to. Throughout the year, courses on financial literacy are also offered.

Veterans and military families

For military families, AmeriCorps members run tutoring and afterschool programs.

Members also tend to work with veterans to establish programs that help to build community and get these individuals involved in programs that help the environment, by, for instance, growing produce that can then be served in schools.

Healthy Futures and Environmental Stewardship

These programs are focused on supporting local organizations that are on the frontlines of combatting the opioid epidemic, as well as those working to reduce food insecurity.

Volunteers can also sign up for posts that focus on combatting climate change at the local level through programs that work to “protect biodiversity, increase reforestation, restore watersheds, prevent wildfires, and expand access to recreation.” Other projects support local governments to create plans for how they can increase greenspace, and urban farming, and adapt to the challenges climate change will present in their area.