Americorps offers alternative options for students

When seniors graduate from college, they have to deal with all sorts of applications: job applications, graduate school applications and possibly scholarship applications for graduate school. Most of these applications ask for the same things: experience, personal questions and - undoubtedly - how much volunteer work has been completed. Volunteering is a part of college, and many opportunities are available. One major way to volunteer at Eastern is through AmeriCorps.AmeriCorps, described as "Peace Corps at home," has had a branch on campus known as SERV Corps since 1994. Ever year, thirty applicants are selected to serve from Sept. 1 to June 30, during which the members must complete 1,700 hours of service.

"Just as the Peace Corps sends people overseas to serve other countries and communities, AmeriCorps places Americans in communities to serve the needs [there]," said Nancy Thames, director of Eastern's AmeriCorps program.

Thames said Eastern's SERV Corps members tutor at-risk reading students and teach drug abuse education programs. They serve in 16 to 18 school districts in southeastern and south central Kentucky.

In addition to their service at these schools, SERV Corps participates in other various activities, such as Red Ribbon Week, which promotes drug-free awareness, Dr. Seuss's birthday, which promotes reading literacy, and the AmeriCorps food drive.

In this year's Make a Difference Day Food Drive, SERV Corps collected the most canned foods, collecting over 42 tons of food. That equals more than 45 thousand ounces collected per member.

"I am so glad that SERV Corps at EKU has collected 42 tons of food so that Kentucky families will not go hungry - for a while at least," Thames said. SERV Corps members get more than volunteer hours, though. While members are serving, they receive a living stipend of $11,500, child care, free health insurance, forbearance on any educational loans, free training sessions and possible credit for school. After their hours have been completed, they are given an educational award of $4,725.

"AmeriCorps members get . . . a lot of training, experience, and networking for the future," Thames said.

Thames said since the program began in 1994, every president has encouraged the program. Thames also said that first lady Michelle Obama used to be an AmeriCorps program director in Chicago and is still showing strong support.

With this recent attention and the fluctuating economy, Thames said there has been an increase in number of applicants, especially since members receive free health insurance. Even though SERV Corps is headquartered at Eastern, anyone with a high school diploma or GED can apply. More than 400 people applied for a position this year alone.

"We have people of all ages, people with all levels of education and all backgrounds," Thames said. "We have to work together to accomplish our mission."

Members can only serve two years. One member, Tracy Isaacs from Rockcastle County, said that even though the work was demanding, she has enjoyed her time in SERV Corps. "[I have] watched the children grow, [seen] their minds develop and succeed," Isaacs said. Another second-year member, Skyler Bradley from Brodhead, said her service has helped her as a graduate student seeking her master's in education.

"It's a really good opportunity for education majors . . . to get their foot in a school," she said. "Education is vital in a small child's life. It's the building blocks for their future." Applications for next year's term will be accepted beginning in June 2010. For more information about AmeriCorps or SERV Corps, visit Eastern's Web site or call the campus office at 859-622-6556.