The Genesee County Youth Bureau’s AmeriCorps is spreading the word on how graduating seniors can improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through community service and volunteerism.
Over the course of the last five months, Project Director Kathy Frank and Victoria Rippel, Americorp member, have been educating high school groups about the benefits of serving in AmeriCorps.
They spoke to more than 250 students at eight different county schools. Students learned that membership benefits of the program include earning a living allowance while serving and receiving an educational award to help further their studies. Members also receive training in a number of areas including youth development, first aid, CPR and customer service.
Also, members gain valuable job skills and have the ability to explore career interests. National members serve on either a full- or part-time basis and work on a number of different projects ranging from environmental preservation and poverty reduction to tutoring and education. While in some programs nationwide members work together and live together, the Genesee County program has members working on individual projects and training. There will be new opportunities for students here in the fall.
There are AmeriCorps members at about 28 sites nationwide. Students are encouraged to look on the national AmeriCorps website (www.americorps.org <http://www.americorps.org/> ) for opportunities.
For more information on these openings on the national web site or contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau at 344-3960 or emailing Kathy directly at kfrank@co.genesee.ny.us. To join, you must be at least 17 years of age and a U.S. citizen.
-----
