A few positions still open for the coming year
PRATT -- AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency created to connect Americans of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their communities and their nation. This year, AmeriCorps will provide more than 470 Kansans the opportunity to meet educational, environmental, public safety, and other needs in communities across the state. Roughly three-quarters of all AmeriCorps grant funding goes to the governor-appointed Kansas Volunteer Commission , which in turn awards grants to nonprofit groups to respond to local needs. Most of the remainder of the grant funding is distributed by the corporation directly to multi-state and national organizations through a competitive grants process.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Park (KDWP) hires AmeriCorps applicants to provide a number of services for the agency, and a few positions are still open for the coming year. Those hired will work outside on environmental projects, including tree planting, wildlife habitat restoration, park restoration, and educational programs in schools and state parks. All volunteers will be trained in use of equipment necessary for their jobs, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and first aid. Those interested should contact the nearest state park office for an application as soon as possible.

In exchange for their service, AmeriCorps volunteers earn education awards as large as $4,725 that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans. Since 1994, more than 2,700 Kansas residents have qualified for AmeriCorps Education Awards totaling more than $9.3 million. Since 1994, more than 400,000 men and women have provided needed assistance to millions of Americans across the nation through their AmeriCorps service.
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