Literacy Network of Los Angeles

AmeriCorps

Starting as a pilot project of AmeriCorps under the Clinton Administration, the program has earned national recognition from Congress for its services. Literacy*AmeriCorps Los Angeles is funded by a federal grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service and is managed locally by the Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles.

Literacy*AmeriCorps engages men and women of all ages and backgrounds in an eleven month term of service to their community.

Literacy*AmeriCorps members serve at local community and faith-based organizations and provide direct literacy instruction and support services to adults and families. These organizations (service sites) sponsor members by providing supervision and a financial contribution each year. The financial contribution supplements the federal grant in order to provide member living allowances, health care, training and supplies.

All AmeriCorps programs are awarded grants based on their ability to meet national objectives.

The three national objectives are:

1. Needs and Service Activities (direct service)
2. Strengthening Communities (volunteer management & outreach)
3. Member Development (member training & skill-building)

All objectives are measured using service site tools and AmeriCorps surveys.

As a federal program, AmeriCorps is nonpartisan and members may not engage in lobbying, advocacy, fundraising (including grant writing), religious activities, or organizing. Instead, members focus on providing direct services to those in need and increasing the volunteer capacity of their service sites. Members serve at their sites each week under the supervision of a site staff person and attend trainings off-site on the first and third Fridays of each month. Each member also designs and implements at least one community service project during their year of service.

Upon completion of 1700 hours of service (within an eleven month period) members are awarded a $4,725 education award. This time is split between on-site and off-site activity, so that members serve at least 80% of hours at their sites and up to 20% off-site with their AmeriCorps team. Other member benefits include a living stipend, basic literacy tutor training and ongoing professional development training, health care, transportation reimbursement, and other program benefits.

Members join AmeriCorps for a variety of reasons: to give back to their communities, to learn skills for future careers, to earn money for college, and to feel part of a national service movement. Literacy*AmeriCorps seeks high-quality, committed applicants with an interest in education and service, as well as professional or volunteer experience working with diverse groups of people. Site supervisors provide a second interview to accepted applicants to ensure the best fit is found for members and sites.

Press Release for Literacy* AmeriCorps Los Angeles