AMERICORPS - The National Service Plan

THE NEW NATIONAL SERVICE MOVEMENT THAT GETS THINGS DONE.
AmeriCorps is the new national service movement that engages thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds in a domestic Peace Corps to get things done throughout our nation's urban and rural communities.

In exchange for 1 or 2 years of results-driven service, Americans will receive education awards to help finance their college education or vocational training, or to pay back their student loans.

AmeriCorps is the direct result of President Clinton's vision for a renewed service movement in America that will rebuild our communities while broadening educational opportunities for our citizens. In September 1993, the President signed legislation creating AmeriCorps to be administered by the Corporation for National Service.

The American Way to Change America
Building upon the work ethic of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the Depression years, AmeriCorps will strive for real results from real work. Embracing the educational advancement of the G.I. Bill, AmeriCorps will reward commitment and responsibility with educational opportunity. And in the spirit of the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps will offer life-changing experiences that extend to lifetime legacies of service and citizenship.

But AmeriCorps will also chart its own course to ensure real results, civic responsibility and a lasting legacy of change.

AmeriCorps Looks Like America
The AmeriCorps objective of providing educational opportunity for community-based service results in a new national service movement of predominantly young adults. But AmeriCorps members will be drawn from men and women of all ages (over age 16), and will represent all economic backgrounds, racial and ethnic groups, regions and religions, and people with disabilities.

AmeriCorps' National Priorities
While AmeriCorps will be community-based and community-driven, all programs and all members will be working to get things done within the national priority areas of Education, Public Safety, Human Needs and the Environment.

What Would I Receive in Exchange for My Service?
In exchange for 1 or 2 years of service, you would receive a living allowance averaging $7,500 per year, health care, childcare when needed, and an education award of $4,725 per year to finance your higher education or to pay back your student loans. Under certain circumstances, you could serve part-time and receive an education award of $2,362 per year.

When and Where Would I Serve?
AmeriCorps offers a variety of time-options for service. You could serve after high school, and during or after college, graduate school or vocational training. And you could serve at home right in your own community -or- in any other part of the country.

How Does AmeriCorps Operate?
The Corporation for National Service selects community-based programs for participation in the AmeriCorps National Service network. Much of the recruitment to fill jobs in those selected programs will be done locally by the programs themselves. They will be looking for persons with a commitment to community service and leadership potential.

How Do I Join?
Contact the AmeriCorps Hotline at 1-800-942-2677 to request a National Referral Form. When you complete the form and return it, you will automatically become part of the AmeriCorps National Service Network Data Base that will be used to supplement local AmeriCorps Members with national recruits. You will also receive a list of AmeriCorps programs so that you can contact them directly to request their local application forms.

SPECIAL NOTE: You can apply directly to the Corporation for National Service for two nationally-operated AmeriCorps programs that are part of the National Service Network. These programs are the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) and the VISTA program. As with all programs in the AmeriCorps National Service Network, AmeriCorps members with both the NCCC and VISTA will serve their communities in exchange for living allowances, health and childcare benefits, and awards to finance their higher education or to pay back their student Loans.

To request applications for either NCCC or VISTA, call the Hotline at 1-800-942-2677.

AS OF: 10-05-98

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