AmeriCorps Member

AmeriCorps is the federal agency responsible for promoting national service and volunteerism across the United States. It provides valuable opportunities for Americans from various backgrounds to serve their country, address urgent national challenges, and contribute to improving lives and strengthening communities. AmeriCorps programs foster civic engagement and community development while offering participants personal and professional growth through meaningful service experiences.

Porter-Leath, a long-established nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and families, partners with AmeriCorps to offer enriching service opportunities. Porter-Leath is committed to providing comprehensive programs that promote early childhood education, health, family stability, and community outreach. This partnership allows AmeriCorps members to actively contribute to impactful initiatives focused on improving educational outcomes for at-risk youth and increasing community access to vital early childhood resources.

Porter-Leath offers two distinct AmeriCorps positions: the AmeriCorps Enrichment Member and the AmeriCorps Outreach Member. The AmeriCorps Enrichment Member will be assigned a caseload of ten students who require academic support, specifically in literacy development. Priority is given to students with documented disabilities who have Individualized Education Programs (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP). Members will work one-on-one or with small groups twice weekly, delivering targeted literacy interventions that focus on essential skills such as phonological awareness, print awareness, early writing, and alphabet knowledge. Members will also provide service at partnering Early Head Start and Preschool sites on a weekly basis, engaging directly with young learners to help foster early literacy and school readiness.

On the other hand, the AmeriCorps Outreach Member will focus on community education and recruitment efforts for Porter-Leath’s Books from Birth program. This role requires strong computer proficiency and marketing skills, as members will develop and execute outreach plans targeting specific zip codes to encourage enrollment of eligible children aged 0-5 years. Responsibilities include maintaining accurate enrollment data, contacting families to update information, and facilitating the delivery of books to children to promote early literacy within the home environment.

Both positions require members to engage in AmeriCorps service projects and team activities as part of their term. Members begin with an initial quarter-term commitment lasting 2 to 3 months and must complete a minimum of 470 service hours to fulfill their service term, with options to extend eligibility. AmeriCorps members benefit from comprehensive training, ongoing support, and opportunities for skill development in education, nonprofit, or public sector careers. Upon successful completion, members may receive a Segal Education Award, eligibility for student loan deferment or repayment assistance, childcare subsidies, and access to healthcare coverage depending on eligibility. Additionally, completing the term opens doors to potential full-time employment opportunities with Porter-Leath.

This service experience provides a unique platform for individuals passionate about making a difference in children’s lives and the community at large. By joining Porter-Leath through AmeriCorps, members gain invaluable hands-on experience, build professional networks, and advance their careers while contributing to meaningful causes that foster positive social change.