AMERICORPS FACT SHEET
The Centre County Youth Service Bureau (YSB) is a private, non-profit agency
which has been serving children, youth and families in Central Pennsylvania
since 1967. YSB was awarded funding through PennSERVE.
Corporation Goals: President Clinton signed legislation creating his
“domestic peace corps” in September of 2003. The Corporation’s goal is to engage
Americans in community-based service which will address the nation’s
educational, public safety, human and environmental needs to achieve direct and
demonstrable results. In doing so, the Corporation seeks to foster civic
responsibility, strengthen the ties that bind us together as people, and to
provide educational opportunities for those who make a substantial commitment to
serve.
Mission: The mission of the YSB’s AmeriCorps project is to ensure that
children, youth and families will have opportunities to realize their potential
for growth and development through the provision of a continuum of services.
Members: YSB has funding for 12 “team members”. AmeriCorps program
design calls for full-time members to receive $11,400 stipend and health
insurance during the term of service, plus an educational award of $4735 at the
completion of 1700 hours (approximately 1 year) of service. Commitment: All
members must commit to a minimum of 10 months to 1 year of service.
Esprit de Corps: AmeriCorps places a great emphasis on “esprit de
corps”, a common spirit of comradeship, enthusiasm, and devotion to the program
among the members. The spirit of AmeriCorps emphasizes a commitment to operation
as a team. Cooperation, mutual support; open and direct communication, a
positive attitude, good humor, accountability, and compassion for the children
and youth are all stressed. We will be selecting members who are enthusiastic
about the AmeriCorps ideals as well as being committed to making a contribution
to the community through service.
Orientation: When the new AmeriCorps Team is complete there will be a
mandatory orientation held in September at the Youth Service Bureau’s Challenges
for Accelerated Performance (CAP) Program. CAP is an Adventure Based Ropes
Course located in Spring Mills Pennsylvania. The orientation is a fun and
exciting opportunity for members to learn more about other team members and to
understand more clearly what AmeriCorps means. Orientation activities focus on
team building, and challenge by choice high and low ropes course activities.
Additional Training and Community Involvement: Throughout the year
there will be additional times when members are required to attend trainings
(some which will be out of town). All AmeriCorps members are required to have
training in First Aid/CPR, communication skills, and in other areas, such as
conflict resolution, tutoring and mentoring.
Bi-Weekly Team Meetings: All members must attend bi-weekly team
meetings which will be arranged to accommodate the maximum number of members.
Drug Free Workplace Act: Members must not possess or use any illegal
drugs during their term of service. Members must also agree not to consume
alcoholic beverages during their performance at service activities and must not
be under the influence of alcohol or any illegal drug during their performance
of service activities. If a member is arrested for a drug offense, they must
notify the YSB within 5 days. In this event, the YSB must suspend the individual
without living allowance and without credit for hours missed.
Uniforms: During all hours of service, members are required to wear an
AmeriCorps “uniform”. The uniform may consist of an identifying T-shirt,
sweatshirt, blazer, pin or patch with the AmeriCorps symbol on it. A basic
uniform is provided by the YSB.
