Oregon Governor Proclaims March 13-19 AmeriCorps Week, Celebrating Volunteers’ Service to Communities
Oregonians are encouraged to celebrate the contributions of AmeriCorps members, alumni, and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers
Salem, OR – OregonServes is pleased to announce that Governor Kate Brown has proclaimed March 13-19th, 2022 as AmeriCorps Week (see the full proclamation here), celebrating the thousands of Oregon residents who give back to their communities through local AmeriCorps programs. In Oregon, more than 4,000 AmeriCorps members and volunteers served through state and national branches of AmeriCorps in 2020-21, including VISTA, National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) and AmeriCorps Seniors programs. AmeriCorps invested $12.9 million in federal funds in Oregon in 2020-21. As part of AmeriCorps Week, local programs will host a variety of service day events and share stories of their impact. Oregonians can join in by following these activities on OregonServes social media (see our account links below) or share their recognition using the #thanksORAmeriCorps hashtag.
While their impact in communities is considerable every year, the pandemic has shown how invaluable AmeriCorps is to implementing community solutions to pressing needs. This dedicated network of AmeriCorps members and volunteers across the state help communities with COVID-19 response and recovery, ensure students stay on track to graduate, combat hunger and homelessness, build trails and improve public lands, help seniors live independently, support veterans and military families, and much more. More than 20,000 Oregonians have served 27 million hours in Oregon communities since the program began in 1994. The weeklong celebration also honors the contributions and support of hundreds of local organizations that make AmeriCorps programs possible.
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for residents to serve the U.S. domestically, address pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the federal agency invests more than $800 million in grants for local nonprofit, community, tribal, and state organizations across the U.S., places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles, and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. The state AmeriCorps Commission for Oregon is called OregonServes, and is based in the Higher Education Coordinating Commission.
Carie Bauer, director of OregonServes, says, “We are proud to be a part of AmeriCorps and grateful for the AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who are getting things done for Oregon. We encourage everyone impacted by AmeriCorps to join us in celebrating the contributions they have made to Oregon communities during a time of great need.”
In addition to making a difference in communities and learning valuable job skills, members receive a monthly living stipend, health insurance, assistance with childcare, and at completion of their term, a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award—currently valued at $6,495—that can be used to pay for college or student loans. In 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2433, exempting the education award from state tax, becoming one of only five states that have enacted a tax exemption to further the value of the education award.
To learn more about AmeriCorps programs in your community, or to find a local volunteer event, follow OregonServes on social media or visit www.AmeriCorps.gov.
Follow OregonServes on social media at the links below.
   
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