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AmeriCorps members marching in swearing-in ceremony

Check out the Team Tennessee AmeriCorps Weekly Update!

What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is the "domestic Peace Corps" where thousands of Americans, both young and young in spirit, are going to be getting things done through service in exchange for help financing their higher education or repaying their student loans. AmeriCorps seeks to harness the energy and idealism of Americans who are dedicated to making their communities--and this country--a better place for all of us to live.

What do AmeriCorps members do?
AmeriCorps is, first and foremost, about Getting Things Done, and AmeriCorps members will be engaged in solving problems and meeting a wide variety of needs across Tennessee and the country. Here in the Volunteer State, for example, AmeriCorps members will tutor at-risk youth, teach conflict resolution and mediation skills, improve the health and quality of life of senior citizens, work with families to prevent child abuse, and help children who are far behind in their growth and development to catch up to normal. And that's just for starters!

What benefits do members receive?
People can be a part of AmeriCorps in two capacities--as a part-time member or as a full-time member. Full-time AmeriCorps members must put in at least 1,700 hours of service in an approved AmeriCorps program in approximately one year. In return, they receive valuable training, a living allowance, health insurance, child care (if they qualify), and, upon completing their service, a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award worth $4,725. The education award is good for seven years and can be used to pay off student loans and/or upcoming educational expenses. Half-time AmeriCorps members must put in 300 to 900 hours of service in an approved AmeriCorps program over one year. Part-time AmeriCorps members may receive a living allowance if the local program offers one, and will, upon the completion of their service, receive an education award based on the number of hours served. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has developed work incentives to encourage individuals with disabilities to attempt and retain employment. While national service is not employment, the SSI work incentives can be used to offset the impact of receipt of the living allowance and still retain SSI benefits.

Who can be a member of AmeriCorps?
Any US citizen or legal permanent resident alien 17 years old or older can be a member of AmeriCorps, from 17 to 117! There are no other limitations, such as income. Different local programs may, however, have their own individual requirements.

How can I find out more about joining AmeriCorps?
You can contact a program directly or you can contact Volunteer Tennessee at 615-532-9250 (V/TDD), toll free at 1-800-404-8183 or by email stephanie.sullivan@state.tn.us, and we'll be happy to get you information about the state's AmeriCorps programs.

If you're interested in being considered for AmeriCorps at sites across the country, visit www.americorps.org or call the national recruitment database at 1-800-942-2677 (Voice) / 1-800-833-3722 (TDD) or email questions@americorps.org.

How can I bring an AmeriCorps program to my community?
Any non-profit and state or local government agencies are eligible to host AmeriCorps programs. Contact Volunteer Tennessee at 615-741-9248, toll free at 1-800-404-8183 or by email vicki.french@state.tn.us, and we'll be happy to get you information about how your agency can apply to host an AmeriCorps program. You can also look at funding process information on our Funding Opportunities page.

Members meet the identified, unmet psychiatric rehabilitation needs in the Chattanooga area.

AmeriCorps Community Cares
Members provide frail seniors and persons with disabilities in low-income public housing with in-home assistance so that they can remain living independently in their own homes for as long as possible.

Evonne Bennett, Program Director
Morristown, TN
877.587.8600 x.14
tcaccommcares@bellsouth.net

AppalachiaCARES
Members engage elementary and middle school students in using academic skills to impact real world problems through service-learning and reflection. Students practice citizenship and build life skills through problem solving and critical thinking.

Trenna Brown, Program Director
Greenville, TN
423.639.8403
appalachiacares@aol.com

Coalition for Healthy Aging
Members provide fitness screenings for senior citizens in Middle Tennessee and improve the daily living environment for seniors by doing minor home repairs, home assessments and wheel-chair ramp construction.

Ladawna Parham, Program Director
Nashville, TN
615.385.5582
ladawna.r.parham@vanderbilt.edu

CAC AmeriCorps
Members serve youth, adults and the elderly by facilitating service-learning to K-12 students in waste reduction, sustainable living skills and protection/restoration of water quality; volunteerism; environmental education and elderly care.

John Harris, Program Director
Knoxville, TN
865.546.3500
john.harris@knoxcac.org

Early Intervention
Members provide inner-city families with prenatal, preventative health and child development information and support resulting in children entering school ready-to-learn and prepared for school success.

Gwen Price, Program Director
Memphis, TN
901.577.2500 ext.159
gprice@porter-leath.org

Members increase the house-building efficiency of eight local Habitat affiliates through direct building activities, leading community volunteers on construction sites, enabling the affiliates to more effectively and efficiently manage volunteers and expanding affiliate capacity through the development of additional resources.

Michelle Murdock, Program Director
Nashville, TN
877.262.7574
MMurdock@habitat.org

Housing Service Corps
Members build safe and affordable new homes and repair existing homes for low-income families in Blount, Knox, Morgan and Scott counties. Members also provide education in home maintenance, home ownership and the home buying process for low-income families.

Terri Carroll, Program Director
Robbins, TN
423.627.2507
tcarrollac@yahoo.com

One Child At A Time
Members help prevent child abuse and provide assistance to abused children and their families in West Tennessee by being mentors and role models to children, recruiting new volunteers and providing educational and emergency assistance.

Brandy Jones, Program Director
Jackson, TN
731.668.4000
bjones@carlperkinscenter.org

Partners Achieving School Success
Members mentor, tutor and serve at-risk students and their families, empowering them to achieve school success.

Wanda Livers, Program Director
Cookeville, TN
931.646.4045
wlivers@uccsa.org

Project TLC
Members in Memphis break the cycle of child abuse and neglect and domestic violence through education, prevention, intervention and other support services.

Carol Russell, Program Director
Memphis, TN
901.276.2200
crussell@exchangeclub.net

SCA AmeriCorps members help protect vital habitats, threatened wildlife, and other at-risk resources in our nation's parks, forests and urban green spaces. Members serve at sites located in Tennessee and in all other states nationwide.

Heather Nowlan, Program Director
Charlestown, NH
603.543.1700

T.E.A.M.
Members serve inner city children and youth by leading diverse after-school activities: academic, enrichment leadership, recreational activities and mentoring to show young people that they can be leaders and change their circumstances.

Rachel Benway, Program Director
Knoxville, TN
865.637.3227 x. 112

Tennessee Programs

Tennessee
Programs