It’s AmeriCorps Week!

AmeriCorps Week 2023

During AmeriCorps Week we recognize the millions of Americans who have chosen to serve their country through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors, and encourage more Americans to follow in their footsteps in service. Service brings people together and bridges divides, and that’s what our members, volunteers, and programs do every day!

What is National Service?

By definition, National Service refers to a federal program that enables people to pay back government loans through community work. A prominent national service organization, AmeriCorps, offers diverse opportunities through the following programs: AmeriCorps State & National, AmeriCorps NCCC, AmeriCorps VISTA, & AmeriCorps Seniors.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency invests more than $800 million in grants for local nonprofit, community, tribal, and state organizations; places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

AmeriCorps- State, National, NCCC, VISTA

For decades, AmeriCorps has worked to make service to others an indispensable part of the American experience. Through our nation’s most trying times, AmeriCorps has come together to help those in need. AmeriCorps service positions focus on 6 key impact areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, the environment, health, and veterans and military families. AmeriCorps offers an array of programs for all levels of experience and desired requirements. To learn more about the different service programs, visit the AmeriCorps website.

AmeriCorps Seniors

In addition to the programs above, AmeriCorps also provides a variety of AmeriCorps Seniors programs exclusive to older adults aged 55 and better. The goal of AmeriCorps Seniors is to empower an entire ecosystem of service through their core programs. AmeriCorps Seniors is comprised of 3 programs: Senior Companion Program, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), & Foster Grandparent Program. To learn more about the three core programs of AmeriCorps Seniors, click here.

Spark AmeriCorps Programs in Colorado

Spark the Change Colorado powers 1 AmeriCorps Program and 2 AmeriCorps Seniors Programs in the following service areas:

• Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP): Alamosa, Huerfano, Las Animas, Montezuma, Park, Jefferson, and Broomfield Counties. Visit the RSVP page to learn more!
• Senior Companion Program: Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas, Huerfano, Jefferson, Las Animas and Pueblo Counties. Visit the Senior Companion Program page to learn more!
• Spark Health Corps: A new public health AmeriCorps program that engages mental health associates who provide in person mental health supports to K-12 students at public Charter schools across Colorado. To learn more about applying for Spark Health Corps, click here!

Not Seeing Opportunities in YOUR County?

Serve Colorado, the Governor’s Commission on Community Service, has partnered with Colorado Youth for a Change to recruit over 400 AmeriCorps members to serve in schools to help address COVID-19 learning impacts and help to close persistent, historical opportunity gaps. Individuals are needed to support, mentor, inspire and connect with students by providing one of the following activities: literacy tutoring for grades K-3; math tutoring for grades 4th-8th; or student and family engagement services for middle and high school students. Training is provided. Find Out More!