ABOUT AMERICORPS AND COMMUNITY HEALTHCORPS

While AmeriCorps is similar in to the PeaceCorps, the focus of AmeriCorps is national rather than international. The various branches of AmeriCorps strive to strengthen our nation by strengthening our communities. The Communtiy HealthCorps branch of AmeriCorps focuses on improving access to health care services for medically underserved populations. Members serve in federally qualified health centers, providing direct services to the patient such as interpreting, outreach, patient navigation, and case management.

Choosing to commit a year of service to Cherry Street Community HealthCorps is similar, yet distinctly different, than applying for a year-long job. This is not a job, but rather a year of service to your country. Therefore, members serving with Community HealthCorps are not called staff or employees, but are referred to as members. Members do not receive an income, they receive a living allowance. What the members do is considered service, not work.

BENEFITS OF SERVICE

Members receive:

• a living allowance of $500.00 every two weeks (payroll taxes will be taken out of this amount)
• health insurance (does not cover dependents)
• child care benefit (if eligible)
• An education award of $5,550
Award is contingent upon completion of 1700 hours minimum and 12 months of service at full time status
• Members may apply for a second year of service if their first year was successful and can receive a second education award.

TERMS OF SERVICE

Members are expected to:

• Serve Monday through Friday 8 to 5
• Complete 1700 hours minimum over 12 months of service
• Serve at least 35 hours per week

Fridays are reserved for team meetings, trainings, teambuilding and service projects. The team completes at least 8 service projects during the year, which usually occur on Friday or Saturday. Service projects are events that benefit the community and/or the clinics we serve in. Past service projects have included: participating as Cure Leaders in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure; building a playground at a migrant farmworker camp; serving breakfast at Ronald McDonald House or Renucci Hospitality House; and distributing food to families in need.

To apply, either download an application from the AmeriCorps website, www.americorps.gov or you can go to 550 Cherry Street SE to the third floor receptionists or the front desk at 669 Stocking Avenue NW and ask for an AmeriCorps application.

SERVICE LOCATIONS

Cherry Street has a variety of sites that members may serve at, including a site in Greenville, MI. There is a high need for individuals with Spanish/English bilingual capabilities, as well as individuals with education in social work or related fields. Our program provides a solid platform for individuals interested in pursuing careers in the medical field after their term of service.

HOW TO APPLY

Please go to www.americorps.gov > click login > click apply to serve, and complete the steps that follow. After your application is completed, please be sure to submit your application to Cherry Street Health Services. We will not receive your application if you do not complete the step of submitting your application to Cherry Street via the AmeriCorps website, which is an additional step after completing your application.

Reach Out and Read

Volunteers read to children in the waiting room at Heart of the City Pediatrics or Westside Health Center. Our volunteers commit to reading one day per week for two hours (typically during daytime hours). Contact Kayla Morris-Doyle at 616-776-2270 or kaylam@cherryhealth.com for details.