College-Based AmeriCorps Members are GETTING THINGS DONE in Michigan!

Written by: Renee Miller Zientek, Executive Director of Michigan Campus Compact

There is nothing more inspiring than being witness to people helping one another with enthusiasm, genuine care, and basic kindness. In recent months, Michigan college campuses have recruited and placed campus-based AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps*VISTA members, reminding me of how much support these and other national service members offer to our communities. At any given time there are more than 75,000 national service members around the country working to improve community life in the United States. AmeriCorps members make a big difference by helping others and meeting critical community needs. These individuals are adults of all ages and backgrounds who serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. Their service helps to make our communities safer, gives our children a second chance, and helps protect the environment. These are volunteers that get things done.

Through strong partnership, close teamwork, and a rich tradition of supporting and advancing civic engagement among Michigan’s college students, Michigan Campus Compact (MCC), with support from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) has placed 300 AmeriCorps members on college campuses and in communities across the state through the Michigan Service Scholars AmeriCorps Program.

These 300 members across Michigan are serving to achieve maximum impact in the following three areas:

Teacher Preparation – Student teachers who will implement service-learning through pre-service teacher training in K-12 classrooms.

College Positive Volunteers – Students who will volunteer in youth-serving nonprofits and exposing youth to higher education through College Positive Volunteerism techniques.

Community-Based Service – Students who will serve in community/faith-based nonprofits with a focus on addressing local community needs through direct service and volunteer recruitment.

If you are a student who would like to join with other AmeriCorps members through the Michigan Service Scholars Program to make a difference in Michigan’s communities, please inquire with the community service office at your campus. Only campuses that are members of the Michigan Campus Compact are able to place students through the Michigan Service Scholars Program.

If you are a community member who would like to know how these AmeriCorps members might connect with partners in your community, please contact Michigan Campus Compact. We are more than happy to connect partners in all communities.

For more information about the Michigan Service Scholars Program, contact Shannon Zoet at szoet@micampuscompact.org, Assistant Director of Campus Partnerships for Michigan Campus Compact.