What is AmeriCorps?

Learn more about the AmeriCorps National Service Organization and Green Iowa AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps is an opportunity for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and their country through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. AmeriCorps members address critical needs such as literacy, health, housing, technology, the environment, economic development, and many other fields. It is a chance to apply your skills and energy toward helping others and strengthening the organizations that make a positive difference in Americans’ lives.

We'll break it down for you in this short video!

​

Visit  www.AmeriCorps.gov to learn more about AmeriCorps.

AmeriCorps is the federal agency connecting individuals and organizations through service and volunteering to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges. Every year, 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve through thousands of nonprofit, community, and faith-based organizations, joining more than 1.2 million Americans who’ve taken the pledge to “get things done” since the program’s inception in 1994.

Green Iowa AmeriCorps

Green Iowa AmeriCorps is  part of the State/National branch of AmeriCorps. Our state-wide community service program operates out of the University of Northern Iowa's Center for Energy and Environmental Education. Our program was originally founded in 2009 to address sustainable usage of energy resources in several Iowan communities as they struggled to rebuild from a series of devastating floods in 2008. Since then, Green Iowa AmeriCorps has been an active community partner and has expanded to many communities across the state. 

​

Green Iowa AmeriCorps vision is to mobilize AmeriCorps members to engage communities in environmental stewardship, neighborhood revitalization, and boots-on-the-ground resources for energy efficiency services. 

​

Members are placed with one of our partnered host sites in communities across Iowa to further the mission work of both Green Iowa AmeriCorps and the host organization. Members help to provide practical solutions to community needs focusing on things like energy efficiency education and home audits, volunteer engagement, environmental stewardship, community de/construction projects, and much more! Our members receive a wide variety of training based on coordinator positions and host site and each member has opportunities for individualized professional development through the completion of a Professional Development Project (PDP) during their service term.

Green Iowa AmeriCorps and all national service programs in the state of Iowa are overseen by
Volunteer Iowa. Volunteer Iowa is part of a network of state service commissions throughout the
United States that exist to foster a bi-partisan, state-level commitment to advancing service
initiatives as well as developing, communicating, and promoting a statewide vision and ethic of
service.

What are some of the Benefits of serving in an AmeriCorps Program?

• AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive a Living Stipend, Segal Education Award, Healthcare and Childcare Assistance,  Federal Loan Deferment, Trainings and Certifications, Individualized Professional Development Opportunities, Leadership Experience, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualification and Interest Accrual Repayment.

• Members in our program have the opportunity to develop projects and spend a portion of their service hours geared toward their own professional development goals.

How do I become an AmeriCorps Member?

• To apply to our program you can visit our Open Positions page. To find and apply to other AmeriCorps National Service Programs you can visit Americorps.gov/serve

​

Have another question for us? Send us an email!