What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs committed to addressing critical community needs. Approximately 75,000 people across the country commit to AmeriCorps each year. When someone decides to commit their time to the greater good by becoming an AmeriCorps member, they take the following oath:
I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities.Faced with apathy, I will take action.Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground.Faced with adversity, I will persevere.I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond.I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.
AmeriCorps Member Update
United Way of SWCO currently hosts eight AmeriCorps members, all of whom took this oath on their very first day of service. The current pandemic has brought challenges and adversity to every community, and our members have served as beacons of light in these difficult times as they have continued to persevere. They have found ways to adapt their service to respond to needs arising from COVID-19. One member, serving in Food Security in Pagosa Springs, sent take-home garden kits to her students to share with their families during the stay-at-home order. Many AmeriCorps members in Cortez have come together to collect and distribute food and resources to community members in need. Through all of this, members are also adapting their original programming to be done virtually in order to continue to be able to support their clients while maintaining distance. As we all continue to adapt our lives to the changing times, our AmeriCorps members continue to serve as an example to our community.
Learn more about UWSWC’s current Team UP AmeriCorps members here. These members will continue to serve their communities through the end of August, and a new cohort of members will take their oath and start their year of service in September 2020. If you are interested in serving with Team UP AmeriCorps, contact Team UP AmeriCorps Program Director Al Huckins @ alh@unitedway-swco.org.
CAN YOU HELP? A full-time AC member costs about $32,000 per year.
United Way secures grants and contributions to cover approximately $18,000. We ask host sites to raise/obtain the other $14,000 (which is a bargain for a full-time person with benefits). Donors can contribute to further reduce the cost for a non-profit to obtain this wonderful support. Recommended contribution to offset the AC cost = $500 or more. DONATE