Serve in Your Own Community, and Earn Money to Pay for College
Americorps and Americorps Vista
A common misconception about the Americorps branch of National Service has to do with the acceptable age of applicants. In Americorps there is no age restriction, except that the applicant must be 17 years of age, or older. For the Americorps Vista programs, on the other hand, applicants and members must be between the ages of 17 and 24. Americorps even has a special branch for Senior Citizens, aptly called SeniorCorps.
Americorps volunteers are paid a monthly stipend, which varies slightly depending on which branch is joined. They may have the chance to learn job skills, and to gain experience in their field of interest. Additionally, Americorps volunteers often are able to serve in their own communities, working to better the lives of the people that they have a close relationship to.
For people who choose to relocate, Americorps postions can be found all across America. There are also some residential programs, which are open to young people age 17 to 24. Members of this program would be required to live at the Americorps housing complex. A young person can serve upto 3 terms in residential programs.
Americorps voluteers do not need to have special talents or skills, in order to join Americorps. While some programs prefer members with college degrees, there are a multitude of projects available to people with no college at all.
Americorps members may become Mentors, Tutors, work in After School Programs, or provide support to non-profit organizations. They may also be involved in educational initiatives, environmental efforts and a host of other volunteer projects. A main focus of Americorps Vista is working with individuals who live in poverty. Vista volunteers may work on housing, or food programs, educational initiatives, neighborhood clean-ups or youth rehabilitation.
To find out more about Americorps, and what positions are currently open in your home town, visit www.americorps.org.
Published by Randa Morris
I have been writing since I was old enough to hold a pencil. it's what I was born to do. Read more of my published work at Helium.com/kansas. View profile
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- Americorps members are volunteers working to better their communities, or country