National Service in Texas
National Service Programs provide human capital—people power—to help communities address emerging needs. These programs help organizations tackle social issues while playing a vital role in supporting and encouraging the values of citizenship, service and responsibility. People of all ages and backgrounds are helping to meet local needs, strengthen communities and increase civic engagement through national service projects across Texas.
OneStar's program support for National Service Programs includes training, research and grants through AmeriCorps*Texas.
An Overview of AmeriCorps
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is a federal agency created to connect all Americans with an opportunity to serve their communities and their country. AmeriCorps, a program of CNCS, provides thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds with intensive full- and part-time opportunities to serve their communities and help grassroots organizations meet local needs. In return for their service, AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance. AmeriCorps members who successfully complete their term of service can earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for college, graduate school or qualified student loans. For more information regarding the Segal Education Award, please click here.
AmeriCorps members must be at least 17 years of age (AmeriCorps*VISTA and AmeriCorps*NCCC require that you are at least 18 years of age). Prospective members must be U.S. citizens, nationals or lawful permanent resident aliens. Members that will serve with children, youth, elderly people or other vulnerable populations will be required to go through a criminal background check.
Each AmeriCorps program has its own selection process. After identifying programs of interest to you, you should contact the program to determine its selection process and obtain a copy of the member position description which will include minimum and desirable qualifications. The selection process typically includes an application (either on-line or paper) and an interview.
AmeriCorps*Texas
OneStar will be focusing the entirety of its 2009-2012 AmeriCorps*Texas funding towards educational initiatives. For more information about AmeriCorps*Texas, click here.
Other National Service Programs
Click here to go to the Interactive Program Selector for Organizations at the CNCS Web site.
