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Georgia's volunteer impact will soon increase
significantly thanks to a federal AmeriCorps grant from the Georgia Commission
for Service and Volunteerism, a division of the Georgia Department of Community
Affairs. Hands On Georgia affiliates will be able to increase the amount of
volunteer service in Georgia communities. AmeriCorps is a network of local,
state, and national service programs that connects more than 70,000 Americans
each year in intensive direct service to meet our country's critical needs in
education, public safety, health and human services, and the environment.*
The Hands On Georgia award, totaling nearly $160,000, will support 12 AmeriCorps
members in Hands On Georgia communities in the state.
The Hands On Georgia AmeriCorps program will
focus on three key areas: 1) Volunteer recruitment and retention; 2) Capacity
building of Hands On Georgia affiliates by developing valuable community service
projects and offering training and leadership development; and 3) Creating
relationships with community agency partners in order to increase volunteer
opportunities and address areas of critical need in the individual affiliate
community.
Some of the demonstrated local needs are
disability services, hunger and homelessness, education, disaster relief, and
environmental protection.
Through the Hands On Georgia AmeriCorps
program, members will be placed with Hands On Georgia affiliates in communities
across the state. They will engage more than 5,000 community volunteers in 500
service projects impacting 25,000 Georgians. AmeriCorps members are full-time
volunteers, who serve their community for more than 1,700 hours in a 12 month
period. They also receive a small living stipend in addition to a $4,725
education award at the conclusion of their service year. This stipend can be
used for future education needs or to repay current student loans.
Hands On Georgia affiliates receiving AmeriCorps members are: Hands On Columbus,
Hands On Macon, Hands On Northwest Georgia, Hands On Forsyth, Hands On Savannah,
Hands On Milledgeville and Hands On Harlem.
If you'd like to join Hands On Georgia's
AmeriCorps program, or would like more information, please contact Jennifer
Williams, Hands On Georgia AmeriCorps Program Manager, at (404) 979-2842 or
jwilliams@handsongeorgia.org.
For information on Hands On Georgia AmeriCorps
sponsorship opportunities, call Suzanne Wilson Davis at 404.979.2888 or
sdavis@handsongeorgia.org.
*americorps.gov
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