Youth Transition...

Community Options: Are You Ready to Serve?

"It’s like a domestic version of the PeaceCorps," Becky Manuel describes the AmeriCorps for America programs. Becky is the Disabilities Program Coordinator for the Wisconsin AmeriCorps Programs coordinated by Serve Wisconsin.

Manuel explains, "The benefits for Americans with disabilities to participate in AmeriCorps are many. Opportunities include personal and work development, the Eli Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, and perhaps most importantly an opportunity to take pride in getting things done and making a difference in communities."

AmeriCorps vision is to be fully inclusive and to be viewed as a viable, attainable, and desirable option for Americans with disabilities. They are seeking the talents, ideas, and experiences of all dedicated Americans to accomplish our goal of getting great things done for America.

What is the AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is a national network of hundreds of programs throughout the United States. The specific programs focus on areas as diverse as education; environmental issues; health, safety and disaster response; crisis intervention, food distribution, and many other areas. Members work with a community agency to focus on a specific community need and help that organization build capacity and sustainability.

AmeriCorps members work with a non-profit or community organization for a set period of time (generally 10 months to 1 year) and do direct service in the community while being provided member development opportunities, a living allowance, health care, and an educational award (which can be used for both existing loans or for tuition to college).

Are you ready to serve?
To be a member you have to be a US citizen, have a HS diploma or equivalent, and be over 18. There exceptions to the High School equivalency and age requirement for youth corps, like Operation Fresh Start, which helps youth earn their high school diplomas while also learning about work readiness and performing service. To Learn More About AmeriCorps, check out their website at www.americorps.gov.

AmeriCorps in Wisconsin
Serve Wisconsin is the Wisconsin State AmeriCorps commission which supervises all AmeriCorps in the state. Serve Wisconsin promotes, trains, and allocates resources to programs that enrich lives and communities through volunteerism. Some of our local programs include opportunities to work in after school programs, with Easter Seals Wisconsin, Special Olympics, and Wisconsin Association of Runaway Services. Check out www.servewisconsin.org for more local information.

All AmeriCorps programs provide reasonable accommodations when requested, and encourage qualified people with disabilities to apply. AmeriCorps recognizes the important contribution that people with disabilities can make in their communities, and provides active state-based and national training and resources. Individuals with a disability interested in Wisconsin AmeriCorps opportunities should contact Becky Manuel.

Rebecca Manuel, Disabilities Program Coordinator • Serve Wisconsin
1 W. Wilson Street, Room 456 • Madison, WI 53703
Telephone: (608) 267-0772 • Fax: (608) 266-9313 • wwww.servewisconsin.org

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