Collaboration – Here’s How!

By: Matt Reaume, Michigan Community Service Commission Cross-Stream AmeriCorps*VISTA & Robyn Stegman, Learn and Serve – Michigan AmeriCorps*VISTA

Have you ever had trouble coordinating academic service-learning projects for your students? The task is no small endeavor. Imagine your relief if you were given access to an organization or a group of individuals who had experience implementing similar service projects in your area.

Think about what could come from having the ability to utilize an already established network of volunteers. How much easier would it be to get an event off the ground if key community partnerships were already forged; if funding could be diversified; if resources, best practices, energy, and idealism were in no short supply? What if?

On the surface, the sample scenario described above may sound like a pipe dream. But on the contrary, this depiction illustrates the potential that exists for Learn and Serve -Michigan grantees to collaborate with other local national service programs like AmeriCorps and Senior Corps in our state.

What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is a national service program that strengthens communities by involving people in service to meet local challenges. Through AmeriCorps, individuals can serve with community and faith-based organization, higher education institutions, and public agencies in many ways. If you are interested in seeing firsthand the type of projects that AmeriCorps members are completing in Michigan, look no further than your local community, as this week marks the Fourth Annual AmeriCorps Week!

AmeriCorps Week is an opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program partners, and friends to celebrate the service and powerful impact that AmeriCorps has had on local communities. AmeriCorps Week events are taking place all throughout Michigan between May 8 and 15. What better way to explore the potential for collaboration than by participating? For a list of current AmeriCorps Week projects taking place, be sure the visit the Michigan Community Service Commission website at www.michigan.gov/mcsc.

What is Senior Corps?
Senior Corps is a network of programs that tap the experience, skills, and talents of older citizens to meet community challenges through Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) programs. More than 11,000 seniors in Michigan contribute their time and talents to one of three Senior Corps programs. More than 1,800 Foster Grandparents serve one-on-one as tutors and mentors to young people who have special needs. Senior Companions help homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in their own homes. RSVP volunteers conduct safety patrols for local police departments, participate in environmental projects, tutor and mentor youth, respond to natural disasters, and provide other services throughout Michigan.

How do I get in touch with programs in my area?
At the Michigan Community Service Commission, we are looking for ways to connect each stream of service. Schools in Michigan are already using Senior Corps and AmeriCorps members in their area to strengthen their service-learning programs. How can you find these volunteers? Check out the MCSC website to see a map of the locations of the various service sites for each Michigan’s AmeriCorps program. And be sure to check back with the site in the coming months as a new interactive, online database will be launched, allowing visitors to conduct a more comprehensive search by location, program type, and program focus for all of Michigan’s national service programs!