AmeriCorps*State and National
This year AmeriCorps will provide more than 7,800 individuals the opportunity to
provide intensive, results-driven service to meet education, environmental, public
safety and other pressing needs in communities across New York. Roughly three-quarters
of all AmeriCorps grant funding goes to the Governor-appointed New York Office of
National & Community Service, which in turn awards grants to nonprofit groups to
respond to local needs. Most of the remainder of the grant funding is distributed
by the Corporation directly to multi-state and national organizations through a
competitive grants process. Other individuals will serve through AmeriCorps*VISTA,
whose members help bring individuals and communities out of poverty by serving full-time
to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses and increase housing
opportunities, and AmeriCorps*NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), a 10-month,
full time residential program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24. In
exchange for their service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award of up to
$4,725 that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans.
Since 1994, more than 40,000 New York residents have qualified for AmeriCorps Education
Awards totaling more than $142,000,000.
AmeriCorps supports a broad range of local service programs that engage thousands
of Americans in intensive service to meet critical community needs. The Office administers
the AmeriCorps program in New York. More than three-quarters of AmeriCorps grant
funding goes to Governor-appointed state service commissions, such as the New York
State Commission on National and Community Service, which in turn awards and monitors
grants to hundreds of nonprofit groups and agencies. The other quarter goes to national
nonprofits that operate in more than one state.
Serve America Act
Provisions in Effect Now
Please keep in mind—and adjust program policies, procedures, practices, monitoring,
and materials accordingly—that the following provisions of the Serve America Act
have been in effect since October 1, 2009:
- Persons convicted of murder are ineligible to serve as AmeriCorps members.
- All members serving in a tutoring program must have a high school diploma.
- Tutoring programs must align with state and local standards for curriculum and training.
- Members enrolling on or after October 1, 2009 may serve in a full-time term for
fewer than nine months.
- Members may not provide abortion services or make referrals to such services, including
members enrolled prior to October 1, 2009.
- Programs must perform criminal background checks on all members enrolled on or after
October 1, 2009, regardless of whether the member has recurring access to vulnerable
populations.
- Programs may extend terms of service for members serving in positions related to
disaster relief for disaster purposes for up to 90 days with CNCS approval.
- Programs have the responsibility for determining whether to release a member for
compelling personal circumstances and documenting the reason for release. To be
released for compelling personal circumstances a member must have performed satisfactorily
and completed at least 15% of their term.
- State commissions must include a representative of the volunteer sector.
AmeriCorps*VISTA
AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight
poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into
the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in
the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years.
VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or
local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create
businesses, strengthen community groups, and much more. With passion, commitment,
and hard work, you’ll create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and
communities out of poverty
This year AmeriCorps will provide more than 7,800 individuals the opportunity to
provide intensive, results-driven service to meet education, environmental, public
safety and other pressing needs in communities across New York. Roughly three-quarters
of all AmeriCorps grant funding goes to the Governor-appointed New York Office of
National & Community Service, which in turn awards grants to nonprofit groups to
respond to local needs. Most of the remainder of the grant funding is distributed
by the Corporation directly to multi-state and national organizations through a
competitive grants process. Other individuals will serve through AmeriCorps*VISTA,
whose members help bring individuals and communities out of poverty by serving full-time
to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses and increase housing
opportunities, and AmeriCorps*NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), a 10-month,
full time residential program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24. In
exchange for their service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award of up to
$4,725 that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans.
Since 1994, more than 40,000 New York residents have qualified for AmeriCorps Education
Awards totaling more than $142,000,000.
To learn more about AmeriCorps*VISTA and how your organization may be able to partner,
contact the New York Corporation State Office:
AmeriCorps*NCCC
The AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps is a full-time residential program
for men and women aged 18-24 that strengthens communities while developing leaders
through direct, team-based national and community service. To learn more, click
here. The AmeriCorps*NCCC Eastern Region Campus based in Perry Point Maryland accepts
applications from nonprofit and public agencies to host an AmeriCorps*NCCC team
(typically 10-12 members) for 6-8 weeks to assist with high-impact, but short-term
projects. For further information and/or application materials, please contact LaQuine
Roberson at (410) 642-2411.