AmeriCorps

 

 

In 2010 Connecting Generations applied for and was awarded an AmeriCorps Grant for $125,000 in the first AmeriCorps competition held since enactment of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. Connecting Generations has applied again for the competitive grant and is looking forward to another year to serve children in the state of Delaware through the service of its AmeriCorps members.  Grants cover some of the cost of operating the program which is matched by the recipient organization. 

AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance of $12,600, student loan forbearance, health care for the AmeriCorps member and child care for those who qualify. After successfully completing their term of service, members receive an AmeriCorps education award.  For members serving during the 2010-2011 year their education award will be $5,330.  The education award amounts have not been set for the 2011-2012 service year, but are based on the Pell grant amount of the member’s service year. 

 The AmeriCorps Education award is matched at over 93 colleges and universities including the University of Delaware making the total award $10,660. The education award is transferable to your child, grandchild or foster child if you are at least 55 when starting your term of service.
The grant will be used to recruit 10 AmeriCorps members to serve as Mentor Coordinators in schools and community/faith based after school mentoring programs. The mentor coordinators will help recruit, place and train mentors. They will then support those mentors in partnering site based programs. This grant was developed in partnership with Communities in Schools of Delaware. Both organizations are committed to making this program a success and promoting an ethic of service in communities throughout the state.

AmeriCorps grants support community organizations that sponsor national service programs to address unmet needs in such areas as education, economic opportunity, health, clean energy/environment, and veterans.  At a time of growing social and economic challenges, national service is a critical and cost-effective approach that engages citizens in solving problems in their communities. 

These AmeriCorps members, called Youth Ambassadors, will be placed in schools in New Castle County and the Capital School District.

Click here for the position description and for the position application.