People Power

By: Khela Singer-Adams, special to the Statesman Journal
Volunteering for a national service program is a rewarding and highly impactful experience! Thousands of organizations benefit from the additional staff capacity a national service member brings including: Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Nationally more than 2,000 nonprofits have hired AmeriCorps members to help meet community needs and strengthen the reach of their organizations. Americorps members receive comprehensive training and support to bring innovative business-based approaches to citizen problem-solving.



In Oregon there are currently over 15,000 individuals of all ages and backgrounds working on local needs to strengthen communities. Of these, 9,700 are senior citizens and 5,300 are students. Serving with national and local nonprofits, schools, faith-based organizations and other groups, members tutor and mentor children, coordinate after-school programs, build homes, restore the environment, respond to disasters, build nonprofit capacity and recruit and manage volunteers. Nationally, AmeriCorps programs mobilized 2.4 million volunteers for the organizations they have served over the last year.
HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley almost tripled our staff with the addition of national service members, allowing us to offer seven volunteer management trainings, nine national days of service, and 6178 volunteer connections. The people power of a national service member to make a real difference at a local level is extraordinary. Right now more positions then ever are available, many only requiring a one year commitment! The benefits to the community are compelling; however the benefits to you are equally important. National service provides a plethora transferable job skills, establishes networking opportunities, a sizable educational award to pay current or future education debt, as well as a living stipend.

This is a great way to engage locally, or to experience life across the United States of America. Positions are posting over the summer, with start dates in early September. To learn more about national service programs and to apply visit Oregon Volunteers! at http://www.oregonvolunteers.org/americorps/member/

Khela Singer-Adams is the Director of HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley, an initiative of the United Way. Khela can be contacted at 503-364-1005, or by email at ksinger@unitedwaymwv.org .