What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is your opportunity to affect your local community in a real and meaningful way while gaining experience and receiving a service scholarship!
Often referred to as the “domestic Peace Corps,” AmeriCorps is a national community service program. Annually thousands of people participate in the program to meet their community’s critical needs. After successfully completing an unpaid term of service, members are compensated with a service scholarship.
The College of Architecture and Planning participates in AmeriCorps through the local UCAN Serve program. The Colorado Campus Compact started the UCAN Serve program in 2002 to provide students with volunteer experiences in civic engagement and service-learning. Annually, over 4,000 students participate in the program through universities and colleges in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and Montana. This program focuses on helping communities in three main service activities: education, public health and safety, and community strengthening.
During the 2009-2010 academic year CAP students earned over $130,000 in AmeriCorps service scholarships.
Who can participate?
To participate in the College of Architecture and Planning’s AmeriCorps program, you must be:
- enrolled in a CAP graduate program,
- an American citizen, U.S. national, or a lawful permanent resident alien,
- at least 17 years old,
- a high-school graduate, and
- you must pass a criminal background check.
How can I participate?
You can participate in AmeriCorps twice in your lifetime through unpaid service at a non-profit or government agency. Typically students participate in the program through studios that are involved in community outreach and service-learning projects. Participating through these studios allows you to earn degree credits and a service scholarship at the same time.
To enroll in the program you must commit to completing an unpaid term of service. The College offers three terms of service you can choose from:
- 300 hours in 1 calendar year = $1,132 service scholarship
- 450 hours in 1 calendar year = $1,415 service scholarship
- 900 hours in 2 calendar years = $2,675 service scholarship
To accrue the hours needed to complete a term of service you can combine your efforts at multiple service opportunities. Qualified outside volunteer activities can also count towards your term of service.
How can I join the AmeriCorps program?
To join the program you will need to attend an orientation. During the orientation we will go over the program rules and complete the enrollment paperwork. If your studio is participating in the program, your professor will schedule the orientation for the entire class. If you would like to participate through an independent volunteer opportunity please contact Patty for information.
For more information contact:
Zahra Khorasani
AmeriCorps Coordinator
zahra.khorasani@ucdenver.edu
303-315-2536
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