2014 Michigan AmeriCorps Member Celebration

November 20, 2014

“Made in AmeriCorps!” Michigan’s AmeriCorps 2014 Member Celebration

Event unites 400 Michigan’s AmeriCorps members to kick-off year of service

LANSING, MICH. – To kick-off a new year of AmeriCorps service, more than 400 Michigan’s AmeriCorps members gathered in Lansing on Nov. 20 to participate in the annual AmeriCorps Member Celebration. The theme for this year’s event was “Made in AmeriCorps.” These members are dedicating a year of their lives to providing intensive, results-driven service in communities across Michigan and came together to celebrate their courage and commitment.

The 2014 Celebration included a swearing-in ceremony which reaffirmed members’ commitment to AmeriCorps and national service. Michigan Lt. Governor Brian Calley led the swearing-in at this year’s Celebration and offered words of encouragement for the year ahead. At the conclusion of the event, members returned to their host sites at hundreds of organizations across the state.

“AmeriCorps members are making vast contributions to Michigan by strengthening our communities through not only their service, but by engaging others to get involved as well,” said Lt. Governor Brian Calley. “I’m honored to have led the AmeriCorps members in their pledge as they begin their year of service to get things done for our state.”

AmeriCorps, sometimes referred to as the domestic Peace Corps, is a nation-wide, competitive grant program through which organizations can apply to host teams of individuals (called members) to provide service in nonprofits, public agencies, faith-based, and other community organizations. In 2014-2015, more than 800 AmeriCorps members in Michigan will provide foreclosure prevention counseling, organize tutoring programs, mentor youth, preserve our environment, build houses, feed the hungry, recruit volunteers, and more. In return for providing a year of service, members receive a modest living stipend and an education award to be used toward college, vocational training programs, or to pay back qualified student loans.

The Michigan Community Service Commission is the administering organization for Michigan’s AmeriCorps programs, which it does with funds provided by the Corporation from National and Community Service (CNCS).

“Michigan’s AmeriCorps members dedicate a year of their lives to addressing pressing community challenges through service,” said Ginna Holmes, MCSC executive director. “The service these members provide makes a powerful impact on complex issues faced by Michigan residents and we are truly grateful for their selfless service. The AmeriCorps Member Celebration is just one way we can thank them for their commitment while also preparing them for the year ahead.”

The Celebration also helps members gain a new perspective on the impact their AmeriCorps service has throughout the state. During the event, members participated in valuable training, networking, and teambuilding opportunities and enhanced their professional development through workshops on leadership, volunteer recruitment, conflict resolution, and other topics relevant to national and community service. Additionally, they heard from keynote speaker Matthew Downey from the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University.

For more information on Michigan’s AmeriCorps, visit www.michigan.gov/volunteer.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The annual Michigan’s AmeriCorps Member Celebration is hosted by the Michigan Community Service Commission. It helps prepare AmeriCorps members for their year of service and celebrate their commitment to improve communities across Michigan.

During the 2013-2014 program year, Michigan’s AmeriCorps members:

• Completed more than 585,400 hours of service and training
• Recruited more than 16,000 volunteers to serve alongside them in their communities.

BACKGROUND:

The Michigan Community Service Commission utilizes service as a strategy to address the state's most pressing issues and empowers volunteers to strengthen communities. In 2014-2015, the MCSC is granting more than $7 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. The MCSC is funding 25 AmeriCorps programs. The Governor’s Service Awards and Mentor Michigan are also premier programs of the MCSC. The MCSC is housed in the Michigan Department of Human Services, whose mission is to assist children, families, and vulnerable adults to be safe, stable, and self-supporting. The Corporation for National and Community Service grants the federal funding the MCSC administers.