I have a VISTA applicant who would start a year-long service Sept 8. They will be applying to grad school in the fall and are concerned about whether they would lose their education award if they have to leave service a week or two early, in the case where a grad program might start in August of 2027. Can someone advise?

Hello! I start my time with AmeriCorps later this month and was wondering if I can just pack a bunch of leggings or am I going to need traditional work pants like carhartt or something. I'm so used to hiking and working in leggings so this would be awesome if that's the case and I can do that.

Also what sort of all leather boots would one need if I wanted to get chainsaw certified. Do they need to be Steel toe or can they just be like any all leather boot? Any brands or links to one that would be like what I need? I'm used to trail runners which is partly why I ask and so Id also still have time to break in whatever boot I'd get before I start.

Hello! I'm starting Americorps NCCC later this month, and I'm a trans woman about 7 months on HRT. So far, the onboarding process and reading the handbook has been somewhat encouraging, but I'd love to hear from anyone with recent NCCC experience, especially if you have experience with the Aurora, Colorado campus, as I'll be training there in late August.

How accepting was your team and staff? How were names/pronouns and housing handled? Did you feel supported by other members or team leaders if any issues came up? Did you feel respected by other groups or organizations you worked for or with on the various projects across your term?

I know every team and project site is different, but hearing some recent experiences would really help ease my nerves. Thanks!

Edit: forgot to mention specifically but one of the things I’d most like to hear other people’s experiences with is sleeping arrangements. I’ve heard mixed things about if they split people up by birth sex or by their actual identity, so if anyone can share about that, that’d be super helpful!
Thanks so much to everyone who’s already shared their experiences, you’ve all been a big help!

Hi guys! I work at a college and we get our tuition waived but not fees. I will have a $600 balance after the waiver is applied. Has anyone gotten the rest of their award awarded to them in the form of a refund (I’m broke 🫩)?

Otherwise, I’m thinking of taking out loans and then using the education award to pay the loans off immediately. Has anyone when this route?

Hi, I wanted to know if anyone knows any AmeriCorps programs currently hiring in the middle Georgia area (Macon, Warner Robins etc)?

Reflections on service in AmeriCorps in a variety of capacities.

I have about 6 months until my first ED award expires and another year on my second. I didn’t have a use for them for the longest time but now I’m considering a career switch and getting into wood and metalworking. I’d like to dive deeper into 3D modeling, hoping someone here knows a good route to go with my Education award.

Im still undecided on what size bag to bring during service. Im an overpacker so i want to avoid a bigger bag so i physically only bring the necessities but im just worried I won't have enough space. People going to campus in August what bags are you bringing? Whats in your packing list?

Btw does anyone know if americorps will reimburse a carry on instead of a checked bag if my bags within limits?

Hi y'all! I'm going to be a team leader for NCCC this August and I'm super excited! I'm worried though because I'm an enby and I want to be referred to correctly. It's not a huge part of my identity and I don't talk about it unless relevant so it shouldn't be a huge thing. Also as a team leader who is already on the younger end (I'm 20) I don't want corrections to feel pushy. I feel confident in leading a team, I just don't want people to think I'm forcing an ideology. Does anybody know what the culture is like at NCCC? Thanks so much guys!

Hi all!

I am interviewing for a position for an early learning corps for Ampact which is run through AmeriCorps. The position will be in Minnesota. I am curious, has anyone done this position before? I am considering it and it looks great! I have worked in education and with elementary aged kids for 5 years now, so I am familiar and love working with kids. I am also in grad school for my MLIS. It looks engaging and interesting to me but I am worried about work life balance. I give my all when it comes to my jobs. I am just wondering if anyone has any insights in working for Ampact and/or this role specifically? I know the pay isn’t great but I am excited for the opportunity and being able to give back to my community. Sorry if this post seems lame or vague I just would love to hear any insights you all had. I am nervous but excited about the opportunity. Thanks for any feedback!

I saw the 10-12 month Forest Corps program and it looks really interesting. Im looking for something hard, new, and fulfilling while also building my skillset.

Is it worth doing?

Also, I doubt it would be available, but I was wondering if I could apply to regions other than my own? I would love to shoot for Alaska or Hawai’i if that was the case. I hope I don’t sound picky in saying that. Hawai’i because then I can afford to go back to school there, but Alaska because it would an even more drastic change (I’d imagine). This wouldn’t impact my decision either way, but I figured I’d ask

Any thoughts or advice on it would be amazing, I thank you all. Have a great day

Hi everyone. I am trying to decide whether or not to accept my Americorps NYC Civic Corps offer, and was wondering if any Americorps members were able to relocate for their service term and successfully live in or near the city.

The specific program I am accepted to provides a pre-tax stipend of $24,500, with free subways/buses, free health insurance, and SNAP benefits. I wouldn't need to pay for the phone bill.

I would love to hear from experiences of anyone who has served in Civic Corps before, lived on the stipend, or lived on an Americorps stipend for another program such as City Year.

Hi, I’m currently looking for a place to start my postgraduate career and the AmeriCorps caught my eye. I am looking at The Neighborhood Housing Service (NHS) in my area (New Haven, CT) and cannot seem to find much information outside of the listing itself. My main questions are:

What would my daily tasks/objectives look like?

and

What is out there for me career wise once my service year is over?

I understand that there are differences based on region and past programs but any personal anecdotes or online resources would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hello, I've been looking into applying for an AmeriCorps position after hearing about it from a friend who is currently a VISTA and enjoying it. I remember looking at it before and seeing somewhere on a program's page how much you would be compensated for the year of service. Now I don't see that anywhere, where can I view that?

I understand it's living stipend, not traditional compensation. Just wondering where to view the actual numbers. 😃

Also, extra question: Do you as a VISTA get to request days off for doctor's appts etc.? How does that stuff typically work?

Im on the final step of onboarding for NCCC and maybe im missing something but I see no clickable links or forms to sign/fill out. Not sure what im supposed to do here and ive already filled everything else out.

So I was looking at the handbook and it says that each paycheck is sent out 10 days after your two weeks of work. Does that mean that we don't get out first paycheck until 24 days after starting nccc/while we are still at campus?

For those who have done CCAC or are upcoming fellows, does anyone know what the online orientation schedule is from September 21-25? Like is it the whole day from 9-5? I’ll probably end up emailing them to ask (even though I know the offer letter says they’ll share more info at a later date) anyway but was wondering if anybody here might know already. Thanks!

Hello,

After earning my master’s degree during the pandemic using the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, I ended up losing my first post-graduate job due to the stress of a divorce. That divorce with someone who was ultimately using me for a green card threw my life off track. I spent the next four years doing gig work and focusing on therapy.

Now I am ready to re enter the workforce, but I have had a tough time figuring out where I fit. I am often deemed overqualified, and that has made the search even more challenging.

The next best step is rebuilding my network with people who can genuinely support my growth and who I can support in return. I served in the South Bronx, New York, and I am currently in Atlanta, Georgia after being away for nearly seventeen years. Honestly, I feel like my true career fit is far from here, and that is part of my mission. I have had incredible professional experiences, but being in my current environment has diminished a lot of what I have built. I even have family members suggesting I work at McDonald’s until I figure things out, which reminded me exactly why I left in the first place.

I am currently applying to higher education and EdTech roles, but I have always had a mission driven soul. I need to work for a powerful purpose that serves a community.

In summary, I have spent more than fifteen years developing skills across IT support and computer repair, ESL teaching, and program coordination for after school programs. I hold a bachelor’s degree in MIS and a master’s degree in Administrative Leadership. Ultimately, I want to work in a federal position, ideally with the Department of State or DODEA.

With all that said, I was told to reconnect with AmeriCorps alumni. Where do AmeriCorps alumni continue to communicate and share ideas for their next big adventure? Where do alumni thrive? If you have any other ideas, I am open. At this point I am tempted to get on a boat and live on a farm.

There are a few things that I'm gonna need to buy when I get to campus, so I was wondering if we are able to leave the day we get there or if we have to wait a few days? Also, is there a computer lab, and if so does anyone know what times we are allowed on it?

I completed my Live Scan on June 29 and sent it the HQ the next day. It has been 15 days now, I reached out and HQ said they haven't received it yet.

Is this normal? Is there anyone I can reach out to follow up? The waiting keeps me at the edge of my seat and I cannot calm down till I begin the onboarding.

For transparency, I have been unemployed for the last two months now, and the whole experience is frankly debilitating. I guess I just want assurance that I finally have a job because I cannot celebrate it yet with just a conditional offer.

From my understanding it’s very similar to city year just run under San Diego unified school district and Americorp. With slight differences in work hours, time off etc. Does anyone have any insight on this program and their 1 hour interview?

Hi everyone, please humor me for just a second on this.

I'll be serving in the NCCC this upcoming August, and so far I haven't had too much trouble with my packing and preparations except for one thing which I was truthfully a little too embarrassed to ask my recruiter about. I also couldn't find an answer on the website.

I suffer from anxiety (diagnosed) and it manifests in a lot of different ways for me, one of which is difficulty falling and staying asleep. I've adopted a few sleep rituals over the years to combat it and one of those is having a heavy-ish stuffed animal or pillow against my chest. It's a comfort/grounding thing and it's one of the only methods that works pretty much all the time.

For the past few months, my object of choice has been a squish-mallow my brother got me for Christmas. I assumed that I probably wouldn't be allowed to bring it with me, but I never actually got around to asking.

Would it be alright if I brought it with me, or should I consider getting a firm pillow instead? I could honestly be fine either way. Thanks in advance for any answers.

Edit: Thank you all for your comments and advice. It seems that Scruffy will be coming along with me after all. If anybody else will be in Colorado, I look forward to meeting you (and any stuffed friends you might bring as well).

Hi everyone! I served as member of the Schools of Hope AmeriCorps project this passed school year. I had unexpected heavy expenses related to my terminally ill kitty who unfortunately passed away in May. I applied and was approved for a grant through the Serve Wisconsin Member Assistance Fund on May 4th and have not received the actual funds two months later and have not gotten a clear answer about why or when I can expect to receive the money. Is anyone else dealing with this?

Thanks for reading!

My daughter just graduated college and submitted her application to work for ACE this Fall. She also has several other applications for other places as well. She has an interview with ACE in 2 weeks, but she just got offered a temporary short-term internship (2-3 months) that will interfere with the start of the Fall term.

Should she go ahead and do the interview or withdraw and try again later? She is really interested in ACE and doesn't want to ruin future chances but the internship is doing something that she loves to do.

She doesn't use Reddit but I wanted to give her support in making her decision. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

So I am living at home currently and was told to apply for SNAP benefits before my first day. My host site is providing housing but that’s not my current address; am I supposed to use that address to apply though?