SU [Americorps: History]


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History of AmeriCorps

In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act, which established the Corporation for National and Community Service and brought the full range of domestic community service programs under the umbrella of one central organization.

This legislation built on the first National Service Act signed by President H.W. Bush in 1990. It also formally launched AmeriCorps, a network of national service programs that engage Americans in intensive service to meet the nation’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.

The newly created AmeriCorps incorporated two existing national service programs: the longstanding VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program, created by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).

In September 1994, the first class of AmeriCorps members—20,000 strong—began serving in more than 1,000 communities. On July 3, 2003, President Bush signed the Strengthen AmeriCorps Program Act, which nearly doubled the number of AmeriCorps members.

By establishing new accounting guidelines for making Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards from the National Service Trust, the Corporation can now authorize approximately twice as many AmeriCorps positions in all categories. The legislation was the product of extensive, cooperative discussions with the Administration and a sign of the strong bipartisan support for AmeriCorps.

The AmeriCorps Pledge

I will get things done for America -
to make our people safer,
smarter, and healthier.

I will bring Americans together
to strengthen our communities.

Faced with apathy,
I will take action.

Faced with conflict,
I will seek common ground.

Faced with adversity,
I will persevere.

I will carry this commitment
with me this year and beyond.

I am an AmeriCorps member,
and I will get things done.

The PALS program is currently recruiting sites for the 08-09 program year. If you are a non-profit agency, and you are interested in having an AmeriCorps member at your site, please send us a letter of interest. In the letter please include how many AmeriCorps members you would like to have serving at your site and whether you would like full or part-time AmeriCorps members. Letters will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

Full-time partnership contribution fee will be $6,000 for 08-09.

Part-time partnership contribution fee will be $3,700 for 08-09.

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Page last updated on 4/3/08

Mailing Address:
ShoreCorps/PALS
1101 Camden Ave
Salisbury, Maryland 21801-6862
410-548-5119