 | How would you like to be a mentor to a young child, or perhaps help in building a home for a disadvantaged family to have shelter, or maybe you would prefer to recruit for volunteers to assist in the many different programs the AmeriCorps of Michigan has to offer? Whatever you would like to volunteer for, remember, AmeriCorps members work directly with the people or causes that need their help the most. Michigan's AmeriCorps programs are housed within nonprofit organization, schools, or other agencies.
|
Each program sets its own goal to help meet local needs in the areas of education, public safety, the environment, and human needs. These members serve for at least one year to help meet the goals defined by each program.
AmeriCorps is a national service program that strengthens communities by involving people in service to meet local challenges. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) administers AmeriCorps at the federal level and partners with states to fund national service programs locally. The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) administers Michigan's AmeriCorps.
The AmeriCorps mission includes: Getting things done, strengthening communities, encouraging responsibility and expanding opportunity.
Getting Things Done:
AmeriCorps gets things done by serving to address a community's most critical education, public safety, human, or environmental needs. By identifying the problem AmeriCorps is able to put a team together to work on it.
Strengthening Our Community:
AmeriCorps helps strengthen our community by uniting citizens of every race, region, religion, and income in a spirit of respect and cooperation to improve our community. Our community is also strengthened by working together in partnerships and collaborations to address common needs.
Encouraging Responsibility
Through service, discussion of service, and education about service, AmeriCorps enables members to see themselves as problem solvers, not problems; to become leaders, not just followers; and to act on their responsibilities in addition to their rights. While strengthening their desire to serve, AmeriCorps gives members the tools to fulfill their responsibilities through their lives, including communication and conflict resolution skills and an understanding of their communities.
Expanding Opportunity
During the term of service, every AmeriCorps program offers a basic living allowance, education award, and child and health care to eligible full-time members. In addition to this, the experience of AmeriCorps expands opportunity in vital ways providing invaluable life and job skills. Members emerge knowing how to teach or build, and they carry these skills throughout the rest of their lives.
If you are interested in becoming an AmeriCorps member at our site or at other Red Cross sites in Michigan, please contact Angie Gresley.
