First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern and Chris Myers Asch, AmeriCorps alumni and founder of the U.S. Public Service Academy, will help prepare more than 450 AmeriCorps members from across the state to serve their local communities.  The 2007 Michigan's AmeriCorps Celebration, hosted by the Michigan Community Service Commission, provides training for AmeriCorps members as they begin a year of service.  Asch will lead the members in the AmeriCorps Pledge and officially swear them in.

WHEN:            

Tuesday, November 13, 2007                

9:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.                

3:15 p.m. - First Gentleman Mulhern speaks

4:00 p.m. - Chris Myers Asch speaks and swears in AmeriCorps members

WHERE:          

Kellogg Center  

Michigan State University         

East Lansing, Michigan

WHO:  

First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern

Chris Myers Asch, AmeriCorps alumni and founder, U.S. Public Service Academy

450 AmeriCorps members from all over Michigan

BACKGROUND:

Chris Myers Asch is an AmeriCorps alumni who taught elementary and middle school in Sunflower, Mississippi, as an AmeriCorps member in the Teach for America program.  He spent one year in Taejon, South Korea with the William J. Fulbright program.  In 1998, Asch co-founded the Sunflower County Freedom Project, which is an intensive academic enrichment and leadership development program for middle and high school students.  In 2006, he founded the U.S. Public Service Academy which will be America's first national civilian university, and will give undergraduates a four-year education in exchange for a five-year commitment to public service after they graduate.

Michigan's AmeriCorps is often compared to a domestic Peace Corps.  AmeriCorps programs are placed within nonprofit organizations, schools, and other agencies throughout the state.  Individuals, called members, help meet critical community needs such as promoting literacy, mentoring and tutoring children, advancing disaster preparedness, protecting the environment, and providing affordable housing.  AmeriCorps members receive a modest living stipend and an education award upon successful completion of service.  Full-time members receive health care and may also be eligible for childcare.  Currently, there are more than 75,000 AmeriCorps members serving nationwide.  Michigan's AmeriCorps touts 900 members serving in 19 programs across the state.  

The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), the state agency that manages Michigan's AmeriCorps, provides vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism. In 2007-08, the MCSC is providing more than $5.8 million in federal resources to local communities for volunteer programs and activities-including Michigan's AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve - Michigan.  Mentor Michigan and the Governor's Service Awards are also programs of the MCSC.