Washington Service Corps

Washington Service Corps is Currently Recruiting Our Next Corps Membership to Start September 2009
Are you ready to serve your community and make a difference? AmeriCorps is your chance to put your ideals into action while learning new skills, making new connections, and earning money to pay for college. Washington State is a great place to live and serve. Review our opportunities in the left column for our programs, initiatives and teams statewide. Listed are project descriptions with contact information to find out more and how to apply on-line.

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

"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.