Goodwill manages three unique AmeriCorps programs that help strengthen local communities and organizations in northern New England. AmeriCorps volunteers are placed in local nonprofits, municipalities, schools and fire and rescue organizations. Applicants 17 or older are eligible to become an AmeriCorps volunteer.

AmeriCorps is a network of local, state and national service programs that connects more than 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet our country’s critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment.

Community Resource Corps

The Community Resource Corps (CRC) places individual AmeriCorps volunteers with nonprofit organizations, municipalities and schools throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.  Volunteers work to strengthen organizations’ volunteer programs to help accomplish their mission and goals.  Past participating organizations include Rippling Waters Farm (ME), Habitat for Humanity (ME), United Way of Greater Seacoast (NH), Rockingham Community Action (NH), the Clarina Howard Nichols Center (VT) and Spring Lake Ranch (VT).

Emergency Response Corps

The Emergency Response Corps (ERC) places AmeriCorps volunteers in rural fire departments and ambulance services in Maine, New Hampshire and New York.

AmeriCorps volunteers recruit and retain emergency response volunteers, enhance public safety education initiatives and provide community service activities.  Past participating organizations include New Gloucester Fire Rescue (ME), Farmington Fire Rescue (NH), Milford Fire Department (NH) and Canandaigua Emergency Squad (NY).

Great Strides

Great Strides is a new AmeriCorps program that places volunteers in rural schools throughout Maine, New Hampshire and northern Vermont.

• Great Strides targets at-risk students in grades 4 through 12 to engage them in a a successful school experience
• AmeriCorps volunteers provide mentoring and service learning opportunities, academic support and community resources to students to increase educational attainment.
• Great Strides seeks to assist students in the areas of school attendance, graduation and entrance into post-secondary institutions.
  

How can I become an AmeriCorps volunteer?

AmeriCorps volunteers generally start their positions in late summer or early fall.  Applicants are asked to fill out an application and send the application, cover letter and resume to the AmeriCorps program in which they have an interest.  Please check this site in late spring for a listing of available positions.

Full time AmeriCorps volunteers serve for 1,700 hours (approximately eleven months).  Members receive an $11,400 stipend and an educational award of $4,725 that can be used for college or repayment of student loans.  AmeriCorps volunteers also receive student loan forbearance, health benefits, worker’s compensation coverage, training opportunities, and child care reimbursement (pending eligibility).   Volunteers working less than 1,700 hours a year often receive no stipend but can earn an education award.

How can I host an AmeriCorps volunteer at my organization?

Each year, Goodwill issues Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) to nonprofits, schools, municipalities and fire and ambulance services who would like to host an AmeriCorps volunteer.  Potential sites submit a proposal that addresses activities, community outreach and volunteer recruitment projects for which the AmeriCorps volunteer is responsible.  Examples of successful proposals are available for review.

Sites are responsible for providing a designated site supervisor for the AmeriCorps volunteer, suitable workspace, onsite orientation and support and resources to help volunteers achieve personal and professional goals.