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AMERICORPS:

Volunteers for Domestic Service

meriCorps is the only combat the opioid crisis, tackle homelessness, build and rehabilitate

federal agency for affordable housing, provide financial literacy training, and connect
Acommunity service and people to jobs.
volunteerism supported by the Since the outbreak of COVID-19, AmeriCorps members and
U.S. federal government, founda- volunteers have provided COVID-19 support to more than 11.4 million
tions, corporations, and other Americans, including assisting 2.5 million people at vaccination sites,
donors that engages adults in conducting more than 1.6 million wellness checks, providing 34.4
public service work with a goal of million meals, collecting and distributing more than 145 million pounds
“helping others and meeting of food, and supervising more than 50,000 volunteers. Under The
critical needs in the community.” American Rescue Plan Act of
It is often referred to as a domestic 2021, AmeriCorps received $1
Peace Corps. billion to further support the
AmeriCorps was created Administration’s top priority to
under Bill Clinton by the provide immediate relief related
National and Community to the pandemic, with a specific
Service Trust Act of 1993, incor- focus on support for the under-
On September 21, 1993, President Bill porating VISTA (Volunteers in served and disproportionately
Clinton signed the National Community Service Service to America, founded in impacted communities. The
and Trust Act of 1993, which led to the creation
of AmeriCorps. Over the last 20 years, more 1964 by President Johnson to American Rescue Plan funds will
than 820,000 AmeriCorps members have help communities combat create new national service
contributed more than 1 billion hours of service. poverty) and the NCCC opportunities, enhance benefits
(National Civilian Community for those who serve, expand
Corps, designed to help communities meet self-identified needs through to nonprofits working in under-
service-based loosely upon the Civilian Conservation Corps) under one served communities and provide
umbrella organization. Americorps pin lot more Americans the opportunity
The mission of AmeriCorps is to improve lives, strengthen commu- selling on eBay for $24.95 to perform national service.
nities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. While AmeriCorps may be a
While AmeriCorps is designed to provide young adults with an young organization compared to the other service organizations covered
opportunity to volunteer for national service while they build work in this issue, its mission of national service is one that resonates with
experience and make contacts, AmeriCorps Seniors is a volunteer particularly young people fresh out of school and looking for a purpose
program for individuals 55 and older. AmeriCorps Seniors is the nation’s and opportunity to pay service to their country.
largest volunteer network for seniors who want to serve their community.
Volunteers commit their time to address critical community needs AMERICORPS COLLECTIBLES
including academic tutoring and Like other organizations looking to create an identity and build
mentoring, elderly care, and disaster community among their members and volunteers, AmeriCorps
relief support through three primary volunteers perform their service outfitted in branded t-shirts, sweatshirts,
programs: Foster Grandparent vests, caps, and other apparel, and are recognized for their service with
Program, Senior Companion service pins, medals, and certificates. AmeriCorps promotional items are
Program, and Retired and Senior available on its webpage, www.promote.americorps.gov/americorps,
Volunteer Program (RSVP). and National Service Gear is available on its webstore,
Since 1994, when the first class Vintage Americorps Montana enamel https://americorps.nationalservicegear.org/store/catalog.
began its service, more than one and metal lapel/tie pin selling for AmeriCorps, focused on a younger market of volunteers, understands
million Americans have served as $48.99 on eBay the power of branding, and how to use social media and the Internet to
AmeriCorps members and build interest in its program. For members, wearing their AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, contributing more than 1.6 billion hours apparel is a source of pride. Legions of current and former members out
of service annually in communities across the country. in the community wearing their branded attire are walking recruiters for
Every year, more than 270,000 AmeriCorps members and the program so new gear and wares are continually introduced.
AmeriCorps Seniors commit to full-time or part-time positions offered In addition to standard branded shirts, vests, and jackets of all fashion
by a network of over 1,000 nonprofit community organizations and pub- varieties, the AmeriCorps store also provides special product lines for
lic agencies across the country at more than 40,000 locations to fulfill specific events each year, such as MLK Day, AmeriCorps Week, and
assignments in the fields of education, disaster response, economic 9/11 Day of Service. Plus, each AmeriCorps division has its own
opportunity, and environmental stewardship. signature attire. This has pushed thousands of items from various
Volunteers prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural and years and events into what will be a collector’s market in the not-too-
man-made disasters; provide assistance to nearly 500,000 veterans and distant future.
military families by connecting While none of these items hold any real value at this
them to educational opportunities, time, this is a ground-floor opportunity to start a
jobs, and the benefits they have collection that will one day tell the important story of
earned; provide independent living volunteerism in America rising to tackle our nation’s
services to 365,000 elderly most pressing challenges into the 21st century.
Americans; help build the capacity
of food banks and address food
insecurity; and support students in
nearly 12,000 public, private, and This vintage 1990s gray Americorps T-shirt is selling for $25
charter schools across the country. on eBay. Like other vintage clothing, those with logos and
AmeriCorps programs also work to meaningful messages are on trend.
18 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles