Washington Service Corps

Now Recruiting Members for 2008-2009

Are you ready to serve?
Do you want to make a difference?
Do you want to learn new skills?
Do you want to earn money for college?

We are seeking dedicated people to serve in areas of environment, safety and preparedness, education and human needs. Review the Washington Service Corps (WSC) programs and teams in the left column for our opportunities in Washington State, a wonderful place to live and serve. Each program and team page provides contact information to find out more and how to apply.

New Study Finds AmeriCorps Benefits Those Who Serve By Creating Skilled, Dedicated Civic Leaders
WASHINGTON, DC � As AmeriCorps reaches the 500,000 member mark and Congress and governors salute the program for its positive impacts on communities, a new study shows that AmeriCorps also provides a range of benefits to those who serve -- including career and leadership skills and a lasting commitment to service and civic involvement.

The �AmeriCorps: Changing Lives, Changing America� report released today shows that 90 percent of AmeriCorps alumni reported having acquired leadership, communications, teamwork, time-management, and decision-making skills during their service. It also found that AmeriCorps alumni volunteer more, are more civically engaged, and choose public service careers at higher rates than peers who didn�t serve in the program.

�AmeriCorps instills a lasting ethic of service and civic leadership in those who serve, and our society will reap the benefit for many decades to come,� said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation. �The AmeriCorps generation � 500,000 strong and growing � is passionate about making a difference and knows how to get the job done.� Click here for more information

Everyone learns, has fun with AmeriCorps after-school programs
By Jane Gargas Yakima Herald-Republic
Published on Sunday, November 11, 2007

If you want to keep them off the streets, first teach them street smarts --as well as manners, educational skills and respect for others. That's the goal of Night Action, a new program launched at the Southeast Yakima Community Center this fall for middle and high school students. It runs after school and into the evening, Monday through Friday. "It's recreation, it's enrichment and it's safe," explains Ester Huey, director of the Southeast center. Its partner program, Kids' Place, is an after-school program at Hoover Elementary School, for kindergarten through fifth grades. Night Action and Kids' Place are funded by a grant awarded to Yakima Parks and Recreation to provide academic enrichment, social activities and recreation. Guiding the youth programs are 15 AmeriCorps members. The thrust behind Night Action is to provide a fun, secure atmosphere for teens and preteens. There's an open gym, help with homework, arts and crafts and sports. It runs every day until 8:30 p.m.

"For the older kids, it's more recreational. You want to get them in a protective environment," Huey says. Once a month, even more "night" goes into Night Action: AmeriCorps members supervise special activities called First Friday Late Night, that run until 11:30 p.m. on the first Friday of every month. Those evenings are centered around a theme, such as movie night or Olympic-type sport competitions. During regular Night Action sessions, both structured and informal activities are offered. Kids play three-on-three basketball in the gym, shoot pool, paint with watercolors or sit quietly with board games. "Dodge ball, indoor and outdoor soccer and basketball are really popular," says Tammy Soderberg, who is serving a second stint in AmeriCorps. A Yakima resident, she fulfilled her previous assignment in San Diego.

AmeriCorps members serve in areas of need around the country for slightly more than 10 months, earning a monthly stipend of $950. Once they have completed their duties, they receive $4,725 to use for further education. The city's AmeriCorps grant comes through the state's Washington Service Corps, which is funded by Congress through the federal Corporation for National and Community Service. To read more and see pictures click here.