AmeriCorps works for Washington!

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AmeriCorps works for Washington!

By Brandon Rendon, Washington Service Corps outreach and recruitment manager

AmeriCorps Week — March 9 to 15 — recognizes all AmeriCorps national community service members and alums nationwide who raise their hands to help when needed. From a pioneering group of 20,000 Americans who first signed up to serve, AmeriCorps has grown. It’s a force for positive change, making a real difference in people’s lives.

AmeriCorps explained

AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for people of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities.  

The Washington Service Corps

The Washington Service Corps, administered by the Employment Security Department, is the largest AmeriCorps program in Washington. It was also one of the first AmeriCorps programs in the nation! Learn more on the Washington Service Corps website.

Washington Service Corps serves as a launch pad to careers in growing job sectors in Washington state, such as environmental conservation, K-12 education, digital literacy, farming and agriculture, disaster response, and public health.  
Washington Service Corps currently has an AmeriCorps member serving at WorkSource Columbia Basin and at WorkSource Joint Base Lewis-McChord. They are focused on technology and digital literacy.  

“I [worked with a customer] on reshaping her mindset and breaking down her fear of technology,” said Santiago Araiza Martinez, member serving at WorkSource Columbia Basin. “She left with a new perspective, understanding that her limitations were not set in stone but were thoughts that could be changed.” 

Cherish Hinckle — member serving at WorkSource Joint Base Lewis-McChord — said, “I have so much fulfillment knowing I am contributing to the career goals of our military families. I hope that a job opening with the Hawk Career Center [on the military base] will open soon. It’s exciting to be a part of a business that welcomes AmeriCorps and supports me in my own learning and future career goals.” 

At the Washington Service Corps, we are proud to represent AmeriCorps and the Employment Security Department to promote civic service and engagement to “Get things done for America!”  

Aynslee McNeel, Washington Service Corps member serving at the Center for Natural Lands Management, uses a brush cutter to remove shrubs on land in the Olympia area. She's wearing goggles and headphones and is smiling while she takes a selfie.
​Aynslee McNeel, Washington Service Corps member serving at the Center for Natural Lands Management, uses a brush cutter to remove shrubs on land in the Olympia area. Clearing shrubs will create more open space — preferred habitat for the Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly, an endangered species.​​

AmeriCorps nationwide numbers

  • 1.3 million individuals have served since 1994.
  • 1.9 billion hours of service completed since 1994.
  • 47 million hours served by AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers since 1994.
  • 200,000 current AmeriCorps members, including AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers.
  • 35,000 service locations.
  • As high as $17 return on every $1 invested.

Celebrate AmeriCorps Week

Join us as we celebrate the members, volunteers and alums who have contributed billions of hours of results-driven service, creating lasting impact in communities nationwide.

Ways to participate

  • If you are an AmeriCorps alum, share photos and videos from your service on your personal social media channels on March 10 in honor of Day of the A. Be sure to tag AmeriCorps with #DayoftheA.
  • Share the impact of AmeriCorps. Through op-eds, social media, letters to the editor or other channels, highlight the impact AmeriCorps has had in your community.
  • Recognize organizations that partner with AmeriCorps on Partner Appreciation Day, March 11.  Thank those who help expand the reach and impact of AmeriCorps. 
  • Follow and like the Washington Service Corps and AmeriCorps on social media. Find links on our websites: Washington Service Corps and AmeriCorps.