Become an AmeriCorps Member!
Find the Right Program for You
In any given year, there are thousands of AmeriCorps service opportunities available in California.
To find your perfect match, visit www.CaliforniaVolunteers.org, pick your area of interest from the pull-down menu in the orange box and enter either the zip code or county in which you would like to serve.
When the search results appear, select the gray full-time tab. All current AmeriCorps opportunities will appear. There you will be able to learn about potential opportunities and find contact information for the programs that interest you the most.
Which Program is Right for You?
There are a number of ways you can serve as an AmeriCorps member. Depending if you want to serve full-time or part-time or what type of service you want to provide, there is an AmeriCorps program that is right for you!
AmeriCorps
Each year, more than 7,000 AmeriCorps members serve throughout California. In California, AmeriCorps programs are run by local nonprofit organizations/public agencies with support and oversight provided by CaliforniaVolunteers. In addition, there are a number of programs in California that are run by national nonprofit organizations.
In either case, AmeriCorps members provide direct service in one of four issue areas: education, public safety, health/other human needs, or the environment. In addition, AmeriCorps members assist with volunteer recruitment and management.
Examples of member service activities include tutoring, providing services to the homeless, and recruiting other community volunteers. Placement sites include schools, nonprofits, afterschool programs, environmental organizations and a host of others.
AmeriCorps members serve full-time or part-time over a period of 10-12 months depending on their program model. On average, full-time members will serve 40 hours a week during the course of the program year, and part-time members will serve between 10-20 hours depending on the parameters of their program.
Approximately 80 percent of a member's time is spent providing service and the remaining 20 percent is spent in training with fellow corps members. Typically, in full-time programs one day a week is set aside for member training.
AmeriCorps*VISTA
AmeriCorps*VISTAs serve in low-income communities to assist impoverished individuals and communities attain self sufficiency. Each year, more than 300 VISTAs serve throughout California.
VISTAs serve full-time for a year with nonprofit groups, public agencies, and faith-based organizations throughout California, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create and expand businesses, increase housing opportunities, and bridge the digital divide.
Unlike AmeriCorps members who provide direct service, AmeriCorps*VISTAs are engaged in capacity building activities such as fundraising/grantwriting, developing systems, creating training programs, etc.
AmeriCorps*NCCC
AmeriCorps*NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a 10-month, team-based, full-time residential program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24.
NCCC combines the best practices of civilian service with the best aspects of military service, including leadership training and team building. Members serve in diverse teams of 10 to 14 individuals. Priority is given to projects in homeland security and disaster relief.
Teams are based at four campuses across the country. The 14 western states and the Pacific Territories (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming).
Member Eligibility/Selection
AmeriCorps members must be at least 17 years of age (AmeriCorps*VISTA and AmeriCorps*NCCC require that you are at least 18 years of age).
In addition, prospective members must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent resident aliens.
Members that will serve with children and youth or other vulnerable populations such as the elderly will be required to go through a criminal background check.
Each program has its own selection process. After identifying programs of interest to you, you should contact the program to determine its selection process and obtain a copy of the member position description which will include minimum and desirable qualifications. The selection process typically includes an application (either on-line or paper) and an interview.
Member Benefits
During their term of service, full-time members receive a modest living allowance. For the 2007-08 program year, the minimum living allowance for full-time members is $11,100. Depending on the program, part-time members may receive a living allowance.
In addition to the living allowance, all members who complete a term of service receive a Segal Education Award (valued at $4,725 for full-time members). The education award can be used pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans. Further, members with qualifying student loans are eligible for student loan deferment during their term of service. For more information regarding the Segal Education Award, please click here.
Full-time members also receive health insurance and child care (if eligible).
What Will You Do as an AmeriCorps Member?
The service activities of AmeriCorps members will depend on the program. However, here is a sampling of member service activities by issue area:
Education
* Providing targeted tutoring in language arts and math to students in high priority schools who tested below grade level;
* Placing members as service-learning coordinators in schools and afterschool programs; and,
* Improving the quality and availability of child development programs by serving in day care, Head Start centers and preschool programs.
Environment
* Eliminating environmental risks, especially those that affect children and youth, such as lead poisoning and radon exposure;
* Engaging community volunteers in ongoing environmental monitoring, such as water quality testing; and,
* Assessing, restoring and stewarding local watersheds.
Health and Other Human Needs
* Providing nutrition education and engaging children and adults in physical activity;
* Improving health of low-income communities by conducting outreach and offering preventive health services, including immunization, through community health clinics; and,
* Helping individuals who are homeless, particularly families, by providing shelter support, assisting in moving into permanent housing and related services.
Public Safety
* Enhancing community policing efforts by working with local law enforcement to develop specific crime prevention strategies targeted at key locations such as playgrounds and other public gathering places for children, youth and other potentially vulnerable populations;
* Providing community disaster/emergency preparedness education and training to individuals, families, and community organizations (secular and faith-based); and,
* Serving as outreach specialists as a means to deter domestic violence and child abuse.
Read blogs from current and former AmeriCorps members about their experiences:
The AmeriCorps Pledge
I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter and healthier.
I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities.
Faced with apathy, I will take action.
Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground.
Faced with adversity, I will persevere.
I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond.
I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.