AmeriCorps is a national service program that provides thousands of Americans with an opportunity to give back to their communities. AmeriCorps members work in nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based organizations. Created in 1994, to date over 250,000 individuals have participated in the program. AmeriCorps members commit to serve in organizations for one year, completing 1700 hours. AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance, student-loan forbearance, health coverage, and child care for those who qualify.
There are four goals of the AmeriCorps Program:
§ Getting Things Done: AmeriCorps members help communities solve problems in the areas of education, public safety, the environment, and other human needs (like health and housing).
§ Strengthening Communities: AmeriCorps members help unite individuals in a common effort to improve communities.
§ Encouraging Responsibility: AmeriCorps members explore and exercise their responsibilities during their service experience and throughout their lives.
§ Expanding Opportunity: After successfully completing their term of service, they receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of up to $5,350.
The Build Corps program at the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky is the largest competitively funded AmeriCorps State program with 52 members. The Build Corps is a multi-site program that operates in 37 different organizations. Most of the sites serve multiple counties; therefore the AmeriCorps members serve Kentuckians in 80% of the state. All Build Corps members recruit, prepare, and manage volunteers at their service sites. Members serve in one of three roles, or a hybrid combination of two or more of the roles. These roles are:
o Homeless Prevention Specialists provide services that give opportunities for those threatened with homelessness.
o Housing Services Coordinators assist people who are homeless or inadequately housed by securing emergency, transitional, or permanent housing.
o Construction Coordinators support the development of construction sites, assist in the construction and renovation of affordable houses, and complete weatherization and energy efficiency repairs.
Service Sites are organizations in Kentucky with demonstrated needs as well as the capacity to recruit, train, and host a Build Corps member. Sites need to be or become members of HHCK. They are required to pay a site match for each member and designate a Site Supervisor who acts as a mentor to their AmeriCorps member and the primary point of contact with HHCK. HHCK begins the annual site certification process in the Spring. Sites interested in hosting a member for a year must submit an application to HHCK. The service sites selected from the application process must become a certified Build Corps site before hosting a member. Service Site applicants are reviewed thoroughly by at least 3 HHCK staff and chosen on the basis of having the greatest need, the greatest organizational capacity, and a number of other factors.
HHCK AmeriCorps members make a long-term difference in Kentucky, as evidenced by their accomplishments in 2008:
▪ Members and the volunteers they recruited and managed contributed over 90,000 hours of service.
▪ Members built 27 homes for low-income families and completed renovation and weatherization projects on 157 homes.
▪ Members helped secure housing, services, and resources for over 4,500 Kentuckians.
AmeriCorps is more than a program. It is a group of passionate and committed individuals coming together to help their communities and Kentucky!
To learn more about AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov.