In an effort to meet community need, the Kansas Volunteer Commission (KVC) encourages Kansans 18 years of age or older to dedicate one year of service to a Kansas organization by serving as an AmeriCorps member.
AmeriCorps members address community needs related to education, disaster services, environmental stewardship, healthy futures and economic opportunity by serving with programs in Kansas. The average annual living allowance of a full-time AmeriCorps member is $12,500, but will vary by program location and term of service. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and a US Citizen or lawful permanent resident. All ages and skill levels are needed; background checks required. Upon successful completion of service, full-time members receive a $5,730 education award that may be used to help pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans.
“Serving in AmeriCorps is a great way to develop new skills while addressing community needs,” said Brittany Crabtree, executive director of the Kansas Volunteer Commission. “Giving a year of service is a win-win, for both the individual and for the community where they serve.”
The following programs are currently recruiting AmeriCorps members. Those interested in applying are encouraged to email volunteer@ksde.org for more information.
• Ashby House for Opportunity Knocks Workforce Development Program: AmeriCorps members will help develop and implement both adult and childcare curriculum as part of the new Opportunity Knocks workforce training program in Saline County and the surrounding areas. (Seeking five AmeriCorps members)
• Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence After-School Program: AmeriCorps members will serve alongside directly with Lawrence school district personnel and Boys & Girls Club staff to provide academic interventions to students in all Boys & Girls Club after program sites. (Seeking two AmeriCorps members)
• Harvesters - The Community Food Network AmeriCorps Program: AmeriCorps will provide nutrition education and SNAP outreach in 16 counties throughout NE Kansas. (Seeking two bilingual (Spanish/English) AmeriCorps members)
• Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks for Kansas Outdoor AmeriCorps Action Team: AmeriCorps members will perform environmental service projects and disaster recovery in state parks and local communities across the state. (Seeking multiple AmeriCorps members in locations across the state)
• Youth Volunteer Corps hosted by the Y of Greater Kansas City: AmeriCorps members will plan, recruit for, and implement high quality service-learning experiences through in-school and out-of-school opportunities in the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area. (Seeking two AmeriCorps members)
AmeriCorps engages 75,000 members in intensive service annually to serve through nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations at 25,000 locations across the country. These members help communities tackle pressing problems while mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve. Since 1994, more than 7,300 Kansas residents have provided more than 9.2 million hours of service addressing critical challenges and earning more than $20.4 million in education awards for their service.