As part of a national service movement overseen by the Corporation for National Service and YouthBuild USA, members perform community service, and in exchange receive an education award upon completion which can be used to pay for college or vocational training. Service is aimed at "getting things done "in communities.

• Getting involved in the Corporation for National and Community Service.
• Americorps: How to join
• Americorps: VISTA Volunteer In Service To America
• Americorps: F.A.Q.

Updates of Events

AmeriCorps Week recently finished up and here is a recap of all the events that went down.

Monday May 10th 2010
Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey proclaimed the week of May 8-15 AmeriCorps Week

Tuesday May 11th 2010
Americorps members focus on keeping the community healthy by holding local food drive around local pantries

Wednesday May 12th 2010
Our AmeriCorps week efforts were also directed toward a new community gardening initiative in Southwest Rockford. Organizations involved include CCS, Eco-Advocates, Angelic Organics Learning Center, Booker Washington Community Center, SWIFTT, and Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum. Workers from the Rockford Park District were on hand Wednesday to clear CCS’ garden space near Booker, and volunteers from Lutheran Social Services joined us Friday for groundbreaking. In the coming weeks, the CCS garden space will be prepared and planted by YouthBuild and other community volunteers. We hope to be harvesting produce by late June.

Thursday May 12th 2010
On Thursday, YouthBuild students did caulking work at what will be Rockford’s first LEED certified home at the intersection of Rockton and Whitman. This type of work highlights the initiative CCS and community partners are taking in energy efficient building.

Friday May 14th 2010
Friday, we officially began work on our garden plot at Booker Washington Community Center. Volunteers from Lutheran Social Services, one of our project partners, joined us as we initiated the garden.

Saturday May 15th 2010
Saturday, CCS/YouthBuild Rockford hosted a Double Dutch youth exhibition. Teams from the Blackhawk Boys and Girls Club and Northwest Community Center learned new techniques and showed off their skills during the public demonstration. The Jump for Health Double Dutch Exhibition combined physical fitness and nutrition, with U of I Extension nutritionist Carol Erickson on hand to teach participants about healthy eating.