About AmeriCorps Week

What Is AmeriCorps Week?

AmeriCorps Week is a recruitment and recognition event designed to bring more Americans into service, salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible.  AmeriCorps Week provides an opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program partners, and friends to shine a spotlight on the work done by members in communities across the country -- and to motivate more AmeriCorps to join AmeriCorps or volunteer in their communities. Spreading the word about AmeriCorps is especially important now, as the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act has put AmeriCorps on a path to grow to 250,000 members annually by 2017.

The fifth annual AmeriCorps Week will take place May 7-14, 2011.

What Activities Are Planned?

AmeriCorps Week events are happening across the country.  They include statewide AmeriCorps gatherings, award ceremonies, "AmeriCorps for a Day" events with local VIPs, community service projects, recruitment fairs, and more.

What Can I Do During AmeriCorps Week?

Those with a special interest in AmeriCorps are encouraged to use their creativity to mark the week in any way they see fit.  For example, members and alumni could make presentations to students or community groups.  Grantees could stage an open house, service project, or volunteer fair.  Local officials and leaders could be asked to server as an AmeriCorps member for a day.  Members and programs can spread the word about the power of service by writing letters to the editor of blogging about their AmeriCorps service online (click here for widgets and banner ads).

AmeriCorps provides opportunities for 85,000 Americans to give back in an intensive way to their communities and country each year. It consists of three main programs: AmeriCorps State and National, whose members serve with more than 1,840 national and local nonprofit and community groups; AmeriCorps VISTA, through which members serve full time fighting poverty; and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), a team-based residential program for young adults 18-24 who carry out projects in public safety, the environment, youth development, and disaster relief and preparedness.

In the AmeriCorps Week Newsroom you will find press releases, public statements, and proclamations from both the Corporation and across the nation.

Click Contact Us above for contact information for AmeriCorps headquarters in Washington, DC and the AmeriCorps national press office.