We have some amazing news for you in this edition of the Serve Illinois newsletter. In August, we announced $17.5 million in federal support for our AmeriCorps programs. This is the largest AmeriCorps award that Illinois has seen in the 23 year history of the program.
Every year, thousands of people give up to a year of their lives to serve their country and Illinois. These AmeriCorps Members are the best of all of us. They make little for their service. Instead, they are paid with the satisfaction of knowing that they are changing lives every day.
Since 1994, Serve Illinois has worked with 39,000 people who have served over 55 million hours through AmeriCorps in Illinois. That equals over $1.4 BILLION in community impact! The Members have also earned $131.7 million to pay for college. Last year, AmeriCorps Illinois served nearly 300,000 Illinoisans, including more than 180,000 disadvantaged youth; nearly 40,000 veterans, active military, and military family members; and more than 13,000 people impacted by disasters.
This year, we will be supporting 39 AmeriCorps programs that will place 1,671 Members in 69 counties. Along with the federal support, the programs and communities will provide an additional $15.9 million. That’s $33.4 million in resources to our neighborhoods all over the Land of Lincoln. The growth of this program in Illinois is a testament to the hard work our AmeriCorps Members perform each day in their communities throughout Illinois.
When you see the AmeriCorps “A”, you know things are getting done. I hope the next time you see one, thank the wearer for their service and their patriotism!
You can learn more about Illinois' AmeriCorps programs
here.
Yours in Service,
Scott McFarland
Executive Director
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Recognize a Volunteer Today!
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We are always looking to share volunteer stories, and help you recognize your volunteers! We make the process simple and easy, and highlight a different volunteer every week!
Follow the link below and let's share how volunteers are making a difference in Illinois!
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Illinois Disaster Corps Update
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Thanks in part to increased federal support, and the initiative of the American Red Cross, Disaster Corps now has a home program. This is great news for Illinois! In addition to the Illinois Safe Families AmeriCorps program, Red Cross Chicago will now have Members dedicated solely to disaster response efforts. Six additional Members will serve with Red Cross and respond to disasters across the state. In addition, Serve Illinois will continue its model of recruiting members from the various programs in the portfolio as well as Senior Corps programs to increase the number of National Service Members available to respond to communities in need. Training for Illinois Disaster Corps is set to begin in November!
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Bring National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) to a Your Community!
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AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is a full-time national service program for young adults age 18-24. NCCC teams are composed of 7-11 individuals, including a team leader. NCCC partners with a wide variety of nonprofit organizations, federal, state, local, and tribal agencies to complete service projects typically lasting 6-8 weeks although shorter periods are possible. Projects address compelling community need(s) and can include disaster services, energy conservation, infrastructure improvement, urban and rural development, and environmental stewardship. There is no charge for labor and teams provide their own transportation, however NCCC requests a place for the team to sleep and a shower be provided along with assistance with food or kitchen facilities to cook on. If you would like to apply to receive a team, or for additional information, please contact Jeff Moeur at
jmoeur@cns.gov
or 319-472-9664x49.
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I served as a full-time member with AmeriCorps Project MORE in Chicago, Illinois from September 2014 to September 2015 where I facilitated volunteer workshops for professionals and the general public. Immediately after my service year ended I applied for and received a staff position with Project MORE. Prior to my service year I had no knowledge of AmeriCorps or what national service members do within AmeriCorps programs so it sometimes amazes me how pertinent my service year has been to my life. I embarked on this journey simply to be the change I wanted to see within my community and in return I gained a career path! As an AmeriCorps Alum and program staff this is my favorite story to share with other alumni, current and incoming AmeriCorps members because it gives them affirmation and hope. Serving in AmeriCorps gave me an opportunity to touch the lives of many people but it also changed my life and I am forever grateful.
--Jeneen Thomas
Program Services Specialist, UIC AmeriCorps Project MORE
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National Service Recognition Day
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This year National Service Recognition Day will take place on October 12th. All Program Directors, their staff, and members are set to arrive at the Bank of Springfield Center (formerly the Prairie Capitol Convention Center) for a swearing in ceremony, parade, service projects, a blood drive, breakout sessions, entertainment, and more!
Each year Members come to be sworn-in for their year of service and gain training to take back with them. They get to meet other members from across the state and enjoy the days festivities.
We hope to again recognize members who are also Veterans with a pinning, award two new awards, and three Alumni awards that recognize an: AmeriCorps Member, Senior Corps Member, and a Veteran.
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An AmeriCorps Love Story!
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Jessica Knotts and Nathan Stevens met at Member orientation in
2012 (12-13 program year)
and are getting married October 13.
If you ask him...
This story begins with me attending Sauk Valley Community College at the urging of a good friend. During my time there, I kept seeing posters for ABC AmeriCorps. I was curious, so I decided to check it out. Fast forward a little bit, I'm now a member of AmeriCorps and sitting in orientation. Jess and I met during the lunch break but we didn't really start talking until I sent her a Facebook game request. After that, being the bold man I am, I asked her if she wanted to get a cup of coffee. That cup of coffee turns into many nights spent playing video games, watching Netflix, and just in general having a great time. Things were going well until I realized I had feelings for this girl. Realizing this, I did the "manly" thing and waited a while before gathering the courage to ask her out. Somehow, she agreed! After more schooling and getting my degree, I decided that it was time. We found a ring and I devised a plan. We agree to meet a friend for coffee at our old weekend hang out in Rock Falls. I got her nice and mad at me so that her usual razor-sharp perception was blunted with rage. We walked into the place to the tune of "Simple Song" by the Shins (the owners of the coffee shop were in on the plan) and I knelt down and asked her to marry me. Seeing as you're on this site, I'm assuming it's no surprise that she said yes.
If you ask her...
My life changed with a poster. It may not have said anything profound, but every time I passed it on the third floor of Sauk Valley Community college my eye was drawn to the big letters prompting me to "join AmeriCorps" - and one day, I did. All I remember next is the intense nervousness I felt on my first day of orientation that had me so distracted I almost missed it when this cute guy in the center section of the room introduced himself to the group. Everyone else had pretty generic answers, but this guy sounded genuinely excited when he talked, and was going on about philosophy and his love of learning and reading; none of which were typical answers for the type of people I usually met wandering the halls of my community college. He likes to think that he approached me, but honestly, I had my sights set on him from that moment on. We somehow ended up being friends on Facebook, which led to casual conversations and then talking more in person during AmeriCorps meetings, and eventually coffee and movies and other activities (mostly with our friend Michael tagging along). Soon after we officially started dating, and before long were bickering back and forth like an old married couple, which we still do to this day. :)
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September 11th Day of Service.
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Serve Illinois is pleased to again Partner with the Department of veteran Affairs to bring Serving those who Served week of service to Illinois. Join in the week of November 5-11 for service projects geared towards supporting Active Duty Members, Veterans, and their families.
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Illinois Disaster Corps training available through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). Nov. 20-22 in Des Plaines, IL at the Suburban North Building or Dec. 18-20 in Carterville, IL at John A Logan College.
Sign up today
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After two years absent, the Governor's Hometown Awards are back! Awards will be announced in Fall 2017. Stay tuned.
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See what's happening on our social sites
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