Transforming Communities through Service
A Collection of the Most Innovative AmeriCorps State and Volunteer Generation Fund Programs in the United States
"The publication highlights the role of states as laboratories for service and fosters new models for addressing a variety of pressing social issues." - Tom Branen, Executive Director of America's Service Commissions (ASC).
"ACE (A Community for Education) saw in me what I was never able to see before. I successfully led a team of tutors and started education classes at Austin Community College - something I never thought I'd do,” said ACE volunteer Rosa C., who is just one of many AmeriCorps members that have benefited from the positive impact of community service.
Transforming Communities through Service from ICP and America's Service Commissions (ASC) highlights 32 programs that are making lasting impacts in communities and on AmeriCorps members throughout the nation. The 2014 edition features 28 AmeriCorps State and four Volunteer Generation Fund programs from 21 states. The publication launch on April 21 celebrates the 5th Anniversary of the Serve America Act, reauthorizing AmeriCorps and creating the Volunteer Generation Fund.The featured programs are setting a high standard for program innovation while addressing a variety of issue areas.
With over 75,000 men and women engaged annually, throughout 15,000 different locations, AmeriCorps envisions a world where communities have the opportunity to mobilize volunteers in an effort to create positive change. AmeriCorps has three main programs: State and National; VISTA, in which members serve to fight poverty; and the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), a team-based residential program for youth who work on public safety, the environment, youth development and disaster relief. The Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) focuses on volunteer recruitment and retention by showcasing that civic engagement is beneficial to all parties involved, especially through developing skills, expanding professional networks, and staying connected within one's community.
As this year marks the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps, this report intends to encourage and support national service, and a committment to keeping these programs alive. View the 2014 publication
View previous publications
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Setting Goals and Capturing Impacts and Outcomes of Community Engagement
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On Wednesday, April 9, 2014, over 30 university professionals participated in a webinar presentation that was hosted by ICP and the Talloires Network. This webinar was led by Dr. Barbara Holland, Director of Academic Initiatives in Social Inclusion and honorary professor at the University of Sydney. Webinar participants learned new approaches to the planning of a community engagement agenda, as well as effective ways to capture evidence of impacts and outcomes for internal and external purposes. A recording of this presentation is available through the Talloires Network
Faculty and Staff Professional Development Program.
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University Civic Engagement Initiative, Wajibi: My Education, My Community
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The application period for this project is now closed. ICP and Silatech would like to thank each university that has submitted a proposal. For more information about this project and on-going civic engagement work in the MENA region, visit our Wajibi page.
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News from the Field
CSIS and IYF Launch Global Youth Wellbeing Index
On April 3, the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS), the International Youth Forum (IYF), and Hilton Worldwide introduced the final report for the Global Youth Wellbeing Index. This index adds to the current conversation around youth involvement and furthers the work of other organizations. Such work includes ICP's Learning-Forum in South Africa, which utilized national youth service programs around the world as an indicator of overall employment and employability. Read more on ICP's blog.
Global Youth Service Day
Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), the only day of service dedicated to children and youth, was held on April 11-13.
More information can be found on ICP's blog about the types of projects, fundraisers, and groups who participated.
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