Come Get Things Done With LISC AmeriCorps!
Overview of the LISC AmeriCorps Program
In partnership with CNCS and LISC, AmeriCorps provides non-profit partners, mainly community development corporations, with the human capital needed to expand their services or pilot new ones. The program helps identify and nurture future leaders by exposing participants to the community development industry. Members help to foster volunteerism and civic engagement by encouraging neighbors to take active roles in helping to transform the communities in which they live. The program combines service to the community with meaningful, hands-on work experience, training and leadership development.
Members serve in many capacities, including but not limited to, housing counselors for first time homebuyers or to help prevent foreclosure; project managers to build/ rehab affordable housing and/or acquire properties; or benefits counselors, assisting low income residents apply for public benefits, CCTC/EITC, manage VITA programs, etc. and provide job training/ placement services. Members act as community organizers to connect neighbors and work with local resident leadership to revitalize their neighborhoods through community clean-ups or planting community gardens. They bring together community partners – local police departments, crime watch groups, tenant associations, block clubs, etc – to build leadership and help said leaders to resolve community issues and create better places for all to live.
FAQs: Information for Potential Members
What are the requirements to be a LISC AmeriCorps member?
Members must be at least 17 years old, US citizens or permanent residents of the United States, and have a high school diploma or GED. Proper documentation will be required (social security cards are not acceptable documentation). Individuals on a student VISA are not eligible.
There are restrictions regarding the number of terms a person can serve in national service programs.
Criminal history checks are required for all members. A member who is a registered sex offender or has been convicted of murder can not serve in any AmeriCorps program.
Once selected, members are required to attend both a national and a local orientation. For full and half time members this requires travel and will result in approximately five to seven days away from home. The local orientation dates are determined by the local LISC office. The national orientation is scheduled for the last week in October.
Members will also be expected to participate in national days of service through out the year.
What are the benefits of becoming a LISC AmeriCorps member?
All members who successfully complete their term of service are eligible for an education award. The award can not be redeemed for cash, but only can go towards fees related to education. The award is usually processed within ten to thirty days after the term of service is completed.
Full-time members (1700 hours served during one full calendar year) earn a living stipend of $18,000 and are eligible for a $5,550 education award at the end of a successful service term. Part-time members (900 hours served during one full calendar year) earn a living stipend of $9,000 and are eligible for a $2,775 at the end of a successful service term.
Health and childcare benefits are available to full-time (1700 hour) members. However, members are not eligible if they are covered by another plan and dependents are not eligible for health care benefits. Childcare eligibility is determined by state guidelines and set by an external agency.
How do I apply to LISC AmeriCorps?
If you would like to be a member please contact your local LISC office:
Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky
Program Administrator:
Kristen Baker
kbaker@lisc.org
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