AmeriCorps is a federally funded program which offers young people a variety of opportunities. Since 1994, nearly 500,000 AmeriCorps members have served with thousands of nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and faith-based organizations nationwide- from small community groups to nationally known organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Red Cross, and Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Members tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, clean parks and streams, and work to promote healthy lifestyles. In return for their service, AmeriCorps members receive a cash award that they can use to pay for college or pay back student loans. Many members also receive a stipend from the organization that they volunteer with.
In Peekskill, Hudson River Health Care is the approved site for AmeriCorps. This year we have been lucky enough to have six AmeriCorps volunteers who have worked as mentors for some of our 9th graders and have also set up an after school home work club for 9th graders. The homework club is open to all 9th graders and it will continue to meet in Rm 222 on Wednesdays and Thursdays until the end of school. Both the mentors themselves and the students who have mentors are happy with the program
Our AmeriCorps volunteers are: Ariella Camera, Michael Goltzman, Victoria Faulkner, Emily Cobey-Smith, Joanna Moshman, and Alyson Small.
If you are interested in learning more about Americorps, you can go to www.americorps.gov