AmeriCorps is a National Service movement with its roots in the Peace Corps and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). AmeriCorps provides thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds with an opportunity to address pressing community needs by completing a year of service. In exchange for their service, AmeriCorps members receive a small living allowance and an education award.

The Oregon Trail Chapter sponsors two AmeriCorps programs: the Oregon State Service Corps (OSSC) and the Clara Barton VISTA Corps (CBVC). OSSC and CBVC AmeriCorps members serve individually or in pairs at nonprofit organizations, government agencies and schools throughout the state of Oregon.

Oregon State Service Corps (OSSC)
Through direct service and volunteer mobilization, 53 OSSC AmeriCorps members (47 full-time, 6 part-time) will address significant community needs in the areas of education, homeland security, public safety and human needs.

OSSC members are recruiting volunteer tutors, helping young people and adults prepare for emergencies, leading afterschool activities that keep kids off the street, teaching life skills to at-risk youth and referring low-income families to local resources.

This year, we are offering both full-time and part-time placements. All OSSC members receive training in First Aid, CPR. Full-time members are trained in disaster response through the Red Cross and can provide up to 80 hours of local/in-state disaster relief.

Issue areas:

1. Education
2. Homeland Security
3. Public Safety
4. Health and Other Human Needs
5. Volunteer Generation

Member Responsibilities and Benefits:

Full-Time Members:

• 1700 hours of service over an 11-month term of service (September 2007-July 2008)
• $11,100 living allowance (taxed) Members only receive stipend while serving.
• Medical insurance, loan forbearance and/or child care (if qualified)
• $4,725 education award upon completion (taxed)

Part-time Members:

• 900 hours of service over a 9 to 11-month term of service (starting September 2007)
• $5,550 living allowance (taxed)
• $2,362.50 in education award upon completion (taxed)

Organizations sponsoring an OSSC member provide a cash match and an in-kind match To learn more about the Oregon State Service Corps, click here.

Clara Barton AmeriCorps VISTA Corps (CBVC)
The role of the AmeriCorps*VISTA member is primarily to build the capacity and sustainability of the project and community, and ultimately to work themselves out of a position. AmeriCorps*VISTA members primarily perform indirect service for local organizations, schools, and government agencies (for example - recruiting/training volunteers, coordinate projects, organize fundraising events, conduct outreach).

Issue Areas:

1. Empowering Faith-Based and Grassroots Organizations
2. Asset Development
3. Strengthening America's Children and Families
4. Homeland Security

Member Responsibilities and Benefits:

• Full-time, 12-month year of service (August 2005 - August 2006)
• $9400 living allowance (taxed)
• Medical insurance, loan forbearance and/or childcare (if qualified)
• $4725 education award or a $1,200 cash stipend at the completion of the service year

To learn more about the Clara Barton AmeriCorps*VISTA Corps, click here.

The Clara Barton AmeriCorps*VISTA Corps is an Oregon AmeriCorps*VISTA Program administered by the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross. Clara Barton AmeriCorps*VISTA Corps members serve a year of their lives building the capacity and sustainability of the project and the community, ultimately hoping to eliminate poverty in the communities they are serving. The AmeriCorps*VISTA Corps Program focuses on Empowering Faith-Based and Grassroots Organizations, Asset Development, Strengthening America's Children and Families and Homeland Security.

To find out more information about other AmeriCorps and VISTA programs in Oregon please go to the Oregon Volunteers website at www.oregonvolunteers.org. If you are interested in serving as an AmeriCorps member in another state please go to www.americorps.org.