America’s domestic Peace Corps
- What: A national service network that provides full- and less-than-full-time opportunities for participants, called members, to serve their communities and build the capacity of nonprofit organizations to meet local environmental, educational, public safety, homeland security, or other critical needs.
- Who belongs: 70,000 members across the country of all ages, from 18 to well past retirement.
- Length of service: Full- or part-time from nine months to two years.
- Living allowance and benefits: Between $10,000 and $13,000 for a year of full-time service (1,700 hours), plus health care coverage. For each 11 months of full-time service, you also earn $4,725 in educational awards to pay for student loans or college tuition. Many colleges will match the awards.
- Information: Visit www.serveohio.org/NationalService_AmericorpsMain.aspx or call the Ohio Community Service Council at (888) 767-6446. For Americorps positions outside of Ohio, visit www.americorps.org .
A laid-off factory worker exploring a second career. A college graduate taking a break between degree programs. A retiree looking to earn extra money while giving back to the community.
The economy might not be booming, but AmeriCorps service members in the Dayton area are finding ways to make a difference — in their own lives as well as the lives of others.
Spurred by a lingering economic downturn, as well as by President Obama’s call to community service, “the interest in volunteering and in service organizations is reaching an all-time surge,” said John Poole, a spokesman for the Ohio Community Service Council. OCSC, the state agency for service and volunteerism, administers the AmeriCorps program in Ohio (visit www.serveohio.org).
Poole said AmeriCorps — the so-called domestic Peace Corps — has five applicants for every open position across the country.
Currently, Ohio has 1,400 slots and will add another 85 from an infusion of federal stimulus money.
AmeriCorps partners with 31 different nonprofit programs in Ohio, from inner-city schools and adult literacy programs to county parks and faith-based organizations.
AmeriCorps pays the members a living stipend of $11,000 to $13,000 a year while also providing them with health care benefits and monetary awards toward a college degree.
Donna McGhee, a 39-year-old Trotwood resident, found her way to AmeriCorps after being laid off as a machine operator at Delphi two years ago.
She’s tutoring disadvantaged middle school students through United Health Solutions.
“I know now I want to be a teacher,” she said. “I’m going to use my education award to finish my associate’s degree and go into special education.”
Poole said McGhee’s story is typical. “For a lot of people, AmeriCorps has launched them in a totally different direction, or made that direction clearer.”
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