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AmeriCorps

UL Lafayette AmeriCorps is a national community service program that lets you serve your community while earning money for school.

We are the only university-based AmeriCorps program in the state of Louisiana. Our projects focus on housing and environmental needs in our community. Members of our 30-person team work with Lafayette Habitat for Humanity, Moncus Park, and The Office of Sustainability on campus. UL Lafayette AmeriCorps members also volunteer with dozens of other non-profit organizations in our community.

Since 1996, we have had more than 800 students complete our AmeriCorps program, contributing more than 16 million hours of service to Acadiana and Louisiana. In that time we have helped to improve local education, housing, disaster response, the environment, and even established Lafayette's own prom dress drive and giveaway, the Cinderella Project.

Becoming a member of the AmeriCorps team is extremely competitive. We seek to put together a diverse team. Our Corps members must have a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and able to multitask. AmeriCorps members must be open to learning and challenging themselves. If you hold these characteristics and have the desire to serve your community, then AmeriCorps is for you!

Benefits

AmeriCorps instills an overwhelming sense of pride, civic responsibility, and a lifetime commitment to service in its members, but there are financial benefits as well.

All members who complete the program earn an educational award to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back student loans. Many members also receive a monthly living allowance or work-study payment to help with expenses.

UL Lafayette AmeriCorps members also receive priority school scheduling here at UL Lafayette.

We also focus on life after AmeriCorps and offer many trainings:

  • Resume Training
  • Public Speaking
  • Diversity Training
  • Project Planning

AmeriCorps History

In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act, which created AmeriCorps and brought the full range of domestic community service programs under the umbrella of one central organization, the Corporation for National and Community Service. AmeriCorps, along with Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America, engage more than 2 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service each year to meet critical human needs in education, housing, public safety, disaster response, public health, and the environment.

Program Creeds

AmeriCorps Motto: Getting things done

UL Lafayette AmeriCorps Mission Statement: To develop civic responsibility and leadership skills in college students through service.