AmeriCorps
What is AmeriCorps?
The AmeriCorps program is a federally-funded initiative, often referred to as a “domestic Peace Corps.” The American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Area has two full-time positions open starting 9/1/10. While AmeriCorps is a federal initiative, it is locally driven and has a four-fold mission, which embraces:
- Getting Things Done by helping a community meets its education, public safety, environmental and other human needs through direct service
- Strengthening Communities
- Encouraging Responsibility
- Expanding Opportunity by providing members with job skills, invaluable experience, and scholarship or loan repayment for school or job training.
What is the role of AmeriCorps within the American Red Cross?
The mission of the American Red Cross is to help people prevent, prepare for, and respond effectively to emergencies. The AmeriCorps program helps the Red Cross achieve its mission by paying special attention to the youth health and safety programs.
The AmeriCorps program is dedicated to bringing Red Cross safety and health programs to underserved neighborhoods, schools, and communities throughout the state of Illinois. Red Cross health and safety programs include CPR, first aid, HIV/AIDS, community disaster education, youth programs, and more. The AmeriCorps grant defines underserved populations as follows:
- Youth
- Minorities
- Low-income
- Senior citizens
Please note: The AmeriCorps program does not offer classes free of charge to businesses, organizations or individuals who can afford to pay for the courses. The program is intended to focus on unmet community needs.
How do I Apply?
The program starts Septemer 1, 2010. For more information about this position, please contact Eileen Ryan at (309) 743-2166 or RyanE@usa.redcross.org.
Eligibility
To be eligible for AmeriCorps, members must possess a high school diploma or GED; be at least 17 years old; and be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful permanent residents of the U.S. Unfortunately, full-time students CANNOT be full-time members.
Compensation and Education Awards
Full-time members are required to serve 1,700 hours (about 35 hours a week) and will receive a living allowance of $11,400 per year. The living allowance is paid to the member bi-weekly. Following the successful completion of a term of service, full-time AmeriCorps members will receive a $4,725 educational award. It is available for up to seven years from completion of service and may be applied toward attendance at a qualified institution of higher education, an approved school-to-work program, or to repay qualified student loans.
Child Care
Child care is available to any full-time eligible member who needs this service in order to participate in the program.
Health Care
Full time AmeriCorps members will be provided with health coverage, if they are not otherwise covered by a health care policy. Dependents are not covered.
For more information, please contact:
Eileen Ryan
American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Area
(309) 743-2166
ryane@usa.redcross.org