Program Components

The AmeriCorps program has four components:

• Daily Service Position
• Member Development Activities
• Community Service Projects
• Statewide AmeriCorps Events

Daily Service Position

AmeriCorps members will spend the majority of their time serving in different positions within the WIP AmeriCorps Program organizations. Members will serve people with disabilities, refugees, and/or people who are underemployed or unemployed. The positions will focus on community integration and job placement. Positions are located throughout the Twin Cities Metro area, Chisago County and the St. Cloud area.

Member Development Activities

Members will receive different opportunities to develop their skills. They will receive service-readiness training conducted by their supervisors or a recommended trainer. This training will be specific to their service positions. The members will also receive soft skills training. They will participate in a pre-service orientation at the beginning of their term. They will also receive training on conflict management, leadership, communication styles, citizenship, diversity, accommodations for people with disabilities, teambuilding, CPR/First Aid, and life after AmeriCorps. These sessions will occur throughout the program year. Members will also share their talents through member-led training sessions at biweekly AmeriCorps Member Team Meetings.

Community Service Projects

AmeriCorps members are encouraged to reach out to the community in other ways besides their daily service positions. This is part of their citizenship training. The WIP AmeriCorps members will conduct four major community service projects throughout the year. The members will determine the type of project and recruit non-AmeriCorps community volunteers to assist with the projects. These projects may include activities such as packaging food at a food shelf or cleaning up the grounds at a Nature Center.

Statewide AmeriCorps Events

Members will attend certain AmeriCorps statewide events, such as the Martin Luther King Day celebration and the AmeriCorps Year-End Summit. One to three members will be selected by their fellow corps members to serve on the statewide InterCorps Council (ICC). The chosen members will attend ICC meetings and possible retreats.

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify for the AmeriCorps program, the member must certify and have documents to prove that he/she is a United States citizen or a legal permanent resident, at least 18 years of age, and has a high school diploma, GED or is working towards a high school diploma or GED. The member may not have already served two National Service terms in his/her lifetime and received two Education Awards.

Preferred Qualifications

In general, we are looking for members who are team players, able to make a year-long commitment to service and the mission of AmeriCorps, able to work well with a diverse group of people, especially people with disabilities, and have the maturity to handle confidential information. Other qualifications vary according to service positions.

Length of Commitment

The AmeriCorps term will be September 6, 2006 to August 31, 2007. Full-time members are required to complete 1700 hours of service (approximately 40 hours per week) during this time. Half-time members are required to complete 900 hours of service (approximately 20 hours per week) during this time.

Hours

Members' daily hours will depend on their service positions. Normally, members will serve during weekdays. AmeriCorps events may occur in the evening or on weekends.

Benefits

• Education award if term is completed successfully -- $4,725 for full-time members and $2362.50 for half-time members.
• Living Allowance -- Approximately $800/month gross for full-time members and $400/month gross for half-time members regardless of start date.
• Regular holidays off.
• AmeriCorps uniform.
• Health insurance for full-time members only.
• Child Care reimbursement available for full-time members who qualify.
• Loan Forbearance on most student loans and interest paid after successful completion of term. Applicable to both full-time and half-time members.
• Internship credit for current students enrolled in applicable coursework.

Application Information

Our program is currently accepting applications. All applicants should apply on-line at www.americorps.org.

For more information or to request an application, contact:

Sonja Nyberg, Program Coordinator
Rise, Inc.
2003 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-706-2520
www.rise.org
E-mail: snyberg@rise.org

To learn more about our partner organizations, click on the following links:

Opportunity Partners: www.opportunities.org

Rise, Inc.: www.rise.org

Lifetrack Resources: www.lifetrackresources.org

Kaposia, Inc.: www.kaposia.com

Position Abstracts

You can download the full position abstracts by clicking here

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Rise and its subsidiary corporations and partner organizations are committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Our continued success is dependent on our full and effective utilization of all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, status with respect to public assistance, disability, or any other characteristics protected by federal or state law which apply to Rise. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals and conduct all AmeriCorps events/activities in fully accessible settings.

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