AmeriCorps

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In the United States, AmeriCorps is a network of more than 2,100 non-profit organizations, public agencies, and faith-based organizations. It was created in 1993 by President Bill Clinton. More than 50,000 individuals join AmeriCorps each year. There have been more than 250,000 members since 1994. The work done by these groups ranges from public education to environmental clean-up.

Americorps is a division of the Corporation for National and Community Service, along with Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America, with a total of more than 2,000,000 members in service each year. AmeriCorps itself is split into three main divisions: AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps VISTA, and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps).

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AmeriCorps organizations

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AmeriCorps National Direct

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AmeriCorps NCCC

The National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is a national service initiative in the United States for individuals 18 to 24 years of age that operates as part of the broader AmeriCorps service network. Its stated mission is "To strengthen communities and develop leaders through team-based national and community service." Corps members work together in close teams of 10-12 on community service projects in the area surrounding them. Target issues incude the environment, education, public safety, affordable housing and unmet needs, and homeland security and disaster relief. Typical service projects generally last six to eight weeks and may include national park maintenance, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, or working to help improve local schools. A select number of NCCC members are also trained in firefighting duties. Teams usually complete four to six projects during the course of the program.

Teams are distributed around the country at five regional campuses, located in Sacramento, California, Denver, Colorado, Charleston, South Carolina, Perry Point, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., each of which is responsible for a different surrounding region of states. Teams may travel off campus to service projects in surrounding states in trips known as "spikes", where they live in temporary housing in the local community for the duration of the project. Over the course of the ten month service commitment team members complete a total of 1,700 hours of community service each, including 80 hours towards a project they initiate, develop, and complete independently.

NCCC members receive a living stipend during the course of their service in addition to government-provided housing, food, medical insurance, and uniforms -- which must be worn during all service activities. Completion of AmeriCorps qualifies the Corps member for an educational award of $4,725 that may be used towards the payment of student loans or future studies.

In February 2006, the elimination of the Americorps NCCC program was proposed in the annual budget. While President Bush is regularly scapegoated for the upcoming dissolution of Americorps NCCC, the decision was actually based on an independent OMB report which assessed the program as being severely under-performing.

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AmeriCorps Promise Fellows

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AmeriCorps State

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AmeriCorps Vista

Americorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) was started in 1965, and since then more then 160,000 people have dedicated at least a year of their lives to poverty reduction through voluntary service. VISTA members work for local non-profit and government agencies to help address issues related to poverty. Currently over 6,000 VISTA members are serving in the United States.

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See also

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External links

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