Lansing, Michigan, September 28, 2006—Ask an AmeriCorps member to tell you the number of children they’ve taught, houses they’ve built, or volunteers they’ve recruited.  You will not only hear numbers, but you’ll learn the names of students, addresses of new homes, and places where new volunteers have served.  This is because AmeriCorps members work directly with the people or causes that need their help the most. 

Thousands of Americans throughout the country are addressing communities’ toughest challenges through AmeriCorps.  AmeriCorps members serve full- or part-time with local organizations and schools.  They work to meet education, public safety, environmental, and human needs.  Michigan’s AmeriCorps, a program of the Michigan Community Service Commission, is currently recruiting close to 1,000 members to join 21 programs in the state. 

Michigan’s AmeriCorps programs are housed within nonprofit organizations, schools, or other agencies.  Each program sets its own goals to help meet local needs.  The host organizations receive funding to recruit, place, and support AmeriCorps members.  These members help to meet the goals defined by each program.  In a typical year, Michigan’s AmeriCorps members provide service to more than 115,000 people and recruit 19,000 volunteers. 

AmeriCorps members are individuals who commit to taking on the challenges their communities face.  They understand that AmeriCorps exists to “get things done,” and as a member, they are part of the solution.  They are involved in activities such as:

• Tutoring and mentoring youth

• Leading after-school programs

• Teaching computer skills

• Building affordable housing

• Protecting the environment

• Helping the homeless and victims of domestic abuse

• Recruiting volunteers

As AmeriCorps members work to strengthen communities, they will gain personal and professional skills that will be used for the rest of their lives.  Members will learn collaboration, communication, leadership, conflict resolution, and other essential life skills.  While serving, AmeriCorps members may also receive a living allowance, as well as health benefits, training, and student loan deferment.  Upon completion of service, members receive an education award of up to $4,725 to help pay for college or graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans.

Join AmeriCorps and start making a difference in your community.  To learn more about AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov or call 1-800-942-2677 or TTY# 1-800-833-3722.  For more information about Michigan’s AmeriCorps, visit www.michigan.gov/mcsc. 

AmeriCorps offers service opportunities to those 17 and older without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation or other non-merit factor.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful permanent resident aliens.

BACKGROUND:

The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), a state agency that manages Michigan’s AmeriCorps, provides vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism.  In 2005-2006, the MCSC is granting more than $6.8 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. 

The MCSC’s signature programs are AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve—Michigan, Mentor Michigan, Volunteer Investment Grants, and the Governor’s Service Awards.  Since 1992, the Commission has engaged nearly one million people from across Michigan in volunteer and service activities.

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