AmeriCorps Week: How are YOU making a difference?

That’s right, it’s AmeriCorps Week, and this year it’s a bigger deal than usual: less than a month ago, President Obama signed the Serve America Act, which hugely increased funding for national service. He also urged all Americans to think about how they can contribute during this economic downturn, and I can’t say but I agree.

Out here on the road, I’ve had a general imperative: whenever someone presents a volunteer opportunity, I take it. I haven’t kept track of my hours (though I will from now on), but they’re stacking up mightily as I wander around building houses, designing websites, pulling weeds and digging ditches. Through the process, I’ve met a lot of amazing people I’d never have encountered otherwise; done plenty good and self-affirming work; and seen Providence and Serendipity (what y’all hippies call Karma) toss several smiles my way.

I’ve also met AmeriCorps members, most of them at the Denver Habitat site. They’ve all seemed happy: working for good, having their needs met, learning on the job, and feeling like their time means something. That’s more than I can say for a lot of recent college graduates, struggling with high rent and a bad job market. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: all ye who feel your employment prospects dwindling, have you considered volunteering? Work exchange? National service? President Obama and I think you should.

From the AmeriCorps website:

The Serve America Act, which goes into effect on October 1, would increase and enhance opportunities for Americans of all ages to serve by increasing AmeriCorps from 75,000 to 250,000 positions over the next eight years, while increasing opportunities for students and older Americans to serve. It will strengthen America’s civic infrastructure through social innovation, volunteer mobilization, and building nonprofit capacity. The new law is also designed to strengthen the management, cost-effectiveness and accountability of national service programs by increasing flexibility, consolidating funding streams, and introducing more competition. For a bill summary, click here.

One of the most remarkable of current trends, however, is that people have been turning to service without any urging from public figures. AmeriCorps received 17,038 online applications this March, more than triple last year’s number.

AmeriCorps has several different types of programs, which means there’s something for everyone. Local opportunities are all set up for those who can give an hour or two on the weekends; national opportunities take anyone who’s interested in full-time work, and give them housing and a stipend to complete jobs from disaster relief to Habitat houses. VISTA is dedicated to fighting poverty, while the NCCC tackles conservation issues. They’re all full of dedicated folks who care enough to put their lives aside and work for change… and this brings it back around to you and me. What are we doing?

I’ll tell you what I’m doing: I’m starting my own volunteer pledge drive. I’ve set the goal at 150 hours pledged, and YOU are the one who can help me reach it.

If everyone who reads this can pledge that you’ll volunteer just one hour within the next month, we’ll blast right through the goal. Just click here and check out all the links and resources I’ve posted, then leave a comment telling me how much time you can give this month. That’s all you gotta do. Let’s get to volunteerin’!