From building homes and helping communities recover from disasters to restoring parks and signing up volunteers, tens of thousands of AmeriCorps members and alums made the second annual AmeriCorps Week a major success. Members and alums celebrated AmeriCorps Week by doing what they do best–service. They also took time to thank their community partners and to recruit more Americans into service. Millions of Americans learned about AmeriCorps through school presentations, recruitment fairs, service projects, and media coverage during the week. AmeriCorps Week was also a time to say “Thank You” to AmeriCorps members and alums. The president, Congress, governors, mayors, and people who’ve benefited from the helping hands of an AmeriCorps member all took time to salute the men and women of AmeriCorps for their dedication and accomplishments.
Fast Facts:
- More than 250 events across the country, from Alabama to Alaska, and Savannah to Saipan
- AmeriCorps Week resolution passed by US House of Representatives
- Proclamations from 25 governors
- Widespread media coverage including Good Morning America, Fox News, and 80-plus print and broadcast stories
- 35 new videos created by AmeriCorps members and alums for the 2008 AmeriCorps Video Contest
- Release of AmeriCorps longitudinal study showing that 60% of AmeriCorps alum work in nonprofits or government
- AmeriCorps’ 540,000 members have provided more than 705 million hours of service
- AmeriCorps members last year mobilized 1.7 million community volunteers for the organizations they serve
What People Are Saying:
- “The strength of America is built on the compassion and love of our citizens. Through countless acts of kindness, AmeriCorps members are making our nation a stronger, more hopeful place.”–President George W. Bush
- “The AmeriCorps national service program, since its inception in 1994, has proven to be a highly effective way to engage Americans in meeting a wide range of local needs, national response directives, and promote the ethic of service and volunteering,”–US House of Representatives
- “The AmeriCorps program is vital to the growth and prosperity of our Nation. AmeriCorps members can be found in our small towns and in our big cities. They're motivated young men and women from every background imaginable. Equally valuable, these men and women are experts in mobilizing local volunteers, allowing millions more to serve their communities in an organized and effectual way.”–Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA)
- “We are grateful for the AmeriCorps members who are getting things done in our state. AmeriCorps members have made a significant impact on our ability to address unmet needs, and AmeriCorps Week is a perfect opportunity to recognize their contributions.”–Washington Governor Chris Gregoire