Strategic Changes to Our AmeriCorps Program

Rebuilding Together recently celebrated our fifteenth year hosting an AmeriCorps program! We are celebrating this milestone and looking back at what has changed over the last fifteen years. 

Since its inception in 2008, our program has survived through a recession and a pandemic. Due to so many experiences and changes in the program, our AmeriCorps team decided it was time to revisit the program’s structure. In 2022, we went through a strategic planning process to strengthen Rebuilding Together’s AmeriCorps program for our affiliate network and future members. Our national office also took this opportunity to address and redirect AmeriCorps recruitment efforts and adapt the program to the changes the world has faced since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are unfamiliar with AmeriCorps, it is a national service program that is a unique opportunity to match nonprofits with service-minded individuals. This program is one way to help increase capacity through direct impact with volunteers, neighbors and projects at Rebuilding Together. It provides a chance for passionate, skilled candidates to bring new ideas, perspectives and energy to our affiliate network. Through their service, candidates have opportunities to make a tangible difference in lives and communities across the country. 

Rebuilding Together’s AmeriCorps program now offers three different term types which include full-time (40hrs/wk), part-time (20 hrs/wk) and quarter-time (12hrs/wk) terms that members can choose from.

Part-time and quarter-time terms are a great opportunity for students to gain experience while being enrolled in school and earning an education award, retirees or stay at home parents who are looking to give back to their community and possibly earn an education award for a dependent or individuals who already have a part-time job and are looking for an opportunity to gain new skills and possibly earn an education award to go back to school or pay off student loans. All our AmeriCorps terms are 11-month terms of service, despite if you are a full-time, part-time or quarter-time member.

Rebuilding Together also offers rolling start dates throughout the year which include our Winter Cohort (Jan 1-14 & Feb 1-14 start dates), Spring Cohort (May 1-14 & June 1-14 start dates) and our Fall Cohort (Sept 1-14 & Oct 1-14 start dates). 

All of our AmeriCorps members assist Rebuilding Together affiliates in achieving long-term, sustainable capacity building, which leads to safer and healthier homes and communities for as many neighbors as possible.

Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps members can serve in a variety of ways. Our members serve as AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinators, AmeriCorps Client Coordinators, AmeriCorps Project Coordinators, AmeriCorps Program Coordinators, AmeriCorps House Captains or AmeriCorps Community Partnership Coordinators. A list of our current AmeriCorps openings can be found through our website here. 

To sum up our AmeriCorps strategic changes, we are now offering the following benefits:

• Multiple term types (1700hr, 900hr or 450hr)

• More enrollment windows (winter, spring or fall)

• More programming & support

  • Member Development Committee – members have a chance to join this committee to brainstorm potential programming ideas, professional development opportunities, engagement opportunities, etc.

  • Living stipend increase (currently $19,008 for full-time 1700hr members and will increase again to $20,020 in Fall 2023)

  • High cost of living stipend increase (can possibly make up to an additional $1,100/month – check each position description to see if this is offered)

  • Additional pay for AmeriCorps alums (a one-time payment up to $500 based on term type)

  • Professional development fund

  • Mental health benefit

  • Relocation reimbursement

What will Rebuilding Together’s AmeriCorps program look like in 2023 and beyond? 

• More inclusive, more diverse, more financially sustainable

• Highly skilled, with many members advancing their education while serving in AmeriCorps

• More options and flexibility for members and affiliates

• More consistency in recruitment and retention of talented, passionate members

• Stronger pipeline of leadership across the network and at national

If you are interested in learning more about our AmeriCorps program, please reach out to Stacy Maliff, Senior Manager of AmeriCorps and Capacity Building (smaliff@rebuildingtogether.org).