This week West Virginia joins thousands of Americans across the country to celebrate the valuable contributions of the AmeriCorps members who pledge to “get things done” for our nation as part of the annual AmeriCorps Week.
Gov. Jim Justice has issued a proclamation supporting the AmeriCorps Program by recognizing AmeriCorps Week in West Virginia, March 8-14. Spearheaded by The VISTA Collaborative at West Virginia University's Center for Service and Learning, AmeriCorps Week in West Virginia serves as an opportunity for our great state to celebrate its significant successes in providing direct and indirect community services to thousands of West Virginians with the help of AmeriCorps members.
The weeklong AmeriCorps Week celebration also honors the contributions and support of thousands of local organizations, including universities, that make AmeriCorps programs possible. The VISTA Collaborative at WVU is leading the way in developing higher education as a hub for the AmeriCorps VISTA program. On WVU’s main campus, ten AmeriCorps VISTA members are currently serving: AviElle Raymore, Yaadieah Pritchett, Christian Rowe, Nick Oyerly, Catherine Gooding, Bridget Hawkins, Jonah Kone, Jacob Souch, Brooks Marino, and Cecily Flight. Two VISTA members serve elsewhere with WVU affiliated programs across the state: Joan Simonetti and Nicole Chadderton.
Every year, 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve through more than 20,000 schools, nonprofits, and community and faith-based organizations across the country. These citizens have played a critical role in the recovery of communities affected by natural disasters like Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, Harvey, and Maria. They also tutor and mentor young people, connect veterans to jobs, care for seniors, reduce crime and revive cities, fight the opioid epidemic, and meet other critical needs.
The Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency responsible for AmeriCorps, marked the 25th anniversary of the program last fall, saluting the more than 1.1 million Americans who have pledged to “get things done” since the program’s inception in 1994.
Together, they have provided more than 1.6 billion hours of service and earned $4 billion in education scholarships to pay for college or pay back student loans.
A growing body of research shows that service has an effect on more than just the communities served, but also on the members themselves. AmeriCorps alumni credit their year of service for developing leadership skills that bridges divides, solves problems, and opens doors to opportunities that advance their careers and education.
In addition, research shows that alumni gain skills and are exposed to experiences that communities and employers find valuable. Public, private, and nonprofit sector employers have also demonstrated their commitment to hiring AmeriCorps alumni, signing on to be an Employer of National Service.
To join the celebration, follow The VISTA Collaborative on Facebook and Instagram, and join the conversation by sharing pictures and stories on Twitter, using #MadeinAmeriCorps and #AmeriCorpsWorks. Those interested in joining AmeriCorps can learn more at AmeriCorps.gov/join or stop by The VISTA Collaborative at the Center for Service and Learning to learn more about opportunities at WVU.
AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation's volunteering and service efforts. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.