AmeriCorps

Goodwill manages AmeriCorps programs that strengthen communities in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont by placing volunteers in local nonprofits, municipalities, and schools. These AmeriCorps members support the long-term health of communities through their selfless commitment.

The Goodwill VISTA Partnership

Since 2015, the Goodwill VISTA Partnership has sought to alleviate poverty in communities across Maine, from the most rural areas to the most populous cities. At present, members are placed in partner agencies situated in Androscoggin, Aroostook, Cumberland, Hancock, Kennebec, Lincoln, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, Washington, and York counties. 

VISTA Members work to reduce poverty while engaging through a plethora of forms of indirect service, such as creating and running programs, fundraising and grant writing, communications work, increasing social media presence, recruiting volunteers, as well as assisting with community assessments, among other projects. Focus areas of partner agencies include public health, food security, new Americans, environmental justice, educational support, youth development, housing, and more!  

The diverse work of AmeriCorps VISTA members contributes to the capacity-building and organizational-development goals of Maine agencies which contribute invaluable boosts to the wellbeing of communities. In 2018, 34 VISTA members provided 3,000 hours of service, working to recruit over 1,405 new volunteers, leveraging over 1.1 million dollars for host-site organizations, and creating 243 new and enhanced systems and business processes. The positive impact VISTA members offer their local communities is remarkable, and continues to build year after year. 

To learn more about becoming a Goodwill VISTA Partnership host site or member, please contact Scott Dupee at Scott.Dupee@goodwillnne.org or (603) 229-7235.

Public Health AmeriCorps – Maine and New Hampshire

Goodwill NNE’s Public Health AmeriCorps program helps build the public health workforce in Maine and New Hampshire. We partner with health centers, substance misuse recovery centers, public schools and other types of agencies meeting public health needs to provide AmeriCorps members. Those members: engage youth in programs to prevent substance misuse; create food security programs, provide vaccination education, create community integration opportunities for people with disabilities, and research and implement public health interventions to meet the pressing public health needs of underserved communities. Members gain strong skills through their experiences and often get hired for professional public health positions immediately upon completion!

GoodwillNNE Public Health AmeriCorps members gain experiences in the public health field, they are given CDC-suggested training, and may attain certification as a Community Health Worker. These trainings and experiences will build a strong foundation for members who want a career in public health. The overall goal is to improve the public health workforce in the long-run, while serving the community.

To express interest in becoming a member or hosting a member please complete an interest survey or contact Program Coordinator, Taylor Carter at taylor.carter@goodwillnne.org or (603) 860-8348.

Goodwill Youth Development Programs

Goodwill NNE’s Youth Development programs place members with community organizations in Maine and New Hampshire to directly serve youth from grades 4-12, many of whom have been impacted by trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Determined by the CDC as a public health need, ACEs can have lasting, negative effects on health, well-being, and life opportunities such as education and job potential. The negative impacts of ACEs can be counteracted by mentoring and building relationships with youth to increase the likelihood that those at greater risk will become well-functioning, self-sufficient adults.

Goodwill Youth Development programs aim to introduce stability and positive relationships into the lives of youth by pairing them with AmeriCorps members. These mentors regularly meet one-on-one or in small groups with a caseload of ten students, implementing a personalized approach, and moving away from a “one size fits all” program. Members will utilize their strengths through an immersive learning experience, social and emotional development, and college and career readiness programming. This approach aims to increase youths’ confidence, sense of contribution, self-management, resilience, and social and emotional skills—in essence, serving the whole child.

Members work with community partner agencies to develop and carry out localized evidence-based interventions, directly serving youth while helping the program grow. Granite State Education Corps youth development members are placed at host site organizations across NH, from the Seacoast’s Portsmouth, Stratham, and Dover to Franconia, by the lakes and mountains, to the southern cities of Concord, Manchester, and Nashua. Maine Public Health AmeriCorps Youth Development members serve diverse populations of students, including New American multilingual multicultural youth, migrant farm-working populations, or members of the Wabanaki tribe. From Greater Portland, in the Lakes and Mountain and Maine Highlands regions, and up the MidCoast as far as to the Downeast Region, members strive to impact all young Mainers.

To learn more about becoming a Goodwill Youth Development program host site or member, please contact Jen Craven at Jenifer.Craven@goodwillnne.org or (603) 703-1811.

Manchester Excels

Goodwill NNE AmeriCorps partners with the Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) campus-based School of Education for the Manchester Excels program, an innovative program to help aspiring teachers realize their dream. 

“When I heard about the Manchester Excels program, it so perfectly aligned with my desire for community engagement and working towards a teaching certificate and education degree that I applied to it within an hour of hearing about it.”

Manchester Excels AmeriCorps members are co-enrolled in the Master’s in Secondary Education and initial licensure program in partnership with Southern New Hampshire University. Manchester Excels members engage directly with middle and high school students in the greater Manchester area, serving for 14 months while taking classes on campus to become a certified New Hampshire teacher. A dedicated faculty advisor and three professors at SNHU, along with experienced on-site teachers, provide expertise, support, and real-time guidance throughout the program. This program prepares members to confidently become certified classroom teachers in middle and/or high schools in one of five content areas. In addition to earning their master’s degree, members earn a certificate in trans-disciplinary competencies including STEM Education Badges.

Cohorts start every June and conclude in July of the following year. This includes serving full-time as a clinical teaching assistant in a local classroom September–June. The cost of tuition at SNHU is supported by the AmeriCorps Segal Education Award as well as a bi-weekly stipend from AmeriCorps. 

Interested candidates should submit an application to the Manchester Excels program through Southern New Hampshire University. To learn more from our staff, please contact Jen Craven at Jenifer.Craven@goodwillnne.org or (603) 703-1811.

Summer AmeriCorps Terms

AmeriCorps is a great opportunity to get meaningful professional experience while on school break.

Through the Goodwill VISTA Partnership and NH COVID Care Corps, Goodwill NNE offers VISTA Summer Associate positions. These 8–10 week positions match members with partner agencies in Maine or New Hampshire, where they serve in both direct and indirect service capacities. VISTA Summer Associates receive a partial education award and a bi-weekly stipend.

Through the Granite State Education Corps, Goodwill NNE offers 300- and 450-hour direct service positions in partnership with Upward Bound, summer academic, and college access programs in New Hampshire. Members in this program receive an education award upon completion of their term.

Benefits to being an AmeriCorps member:

AmeriCorps member benefits vary by program, and may include:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ($6,895*) 
• Bi-Weekly Living Allowance (approximately $675 bi-weekly; varies depending on location)
• Student Loan Forbearance for eligible federal loans (interest paid by AmeriCorps) 
• Childcare reimbursement if eligible
• Health Benefits
• Training and Professional Development 
• Food Stamp Eligibility (depending on financial situation)
• Relocation Assistance (VISTA only)
• Non-Competitive Eligibility for federal employment (for 1 year after program completion; VISTA only) 
• Life Navigator (on-staff licensed counselor for members)

*Individuals are limited to two full Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards in their lifetime

Want to host an AmeriCorps member at your school or organization?

Goodwill is always looking to expand its partners across northern New England. If your organization could benefit from the assistance of an AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps VISTA member, we would love to hear from you. Host site organizations are responsible for providing a designated supervisor, suitable workspace, onsite orientation, and support and resources to help AmeriCorps members achieve personal and professional goals. If you are interested in partnering with AmeriCorps and hosting a member at your organization, get in touch by filling out our interest survey. To learn more through our social media, view videos, or sign up for our newsletter, click here!  

FAQ about AmeriCorps

What is AmeriCorps? 
AmeriCorps is a national service program in the United States that engages thousands of Americans each year in a variety of service opportunities. It was created in 1993 and places members in non-profit organizations, government agencies, and faith-based groups (also called host sites) across the country to address critical community needs such as poverty, education, public health, and the environment. 

Is AmeriCorps paid? What is the living stipend for AmeriCorps? 
Yes, AmeriCorps members are paid a living stipend that varies by program and county. Living stipends average $22,000 per year but members also earn an education award worth $7,000 and qualify for health care. An AmeriCorps benefits package is often worth more than $30,000 per year. Contact us to find out exactly how much your stipend would be if you join AmeriCorps. 

What is the difference between PeaceCorps and AmeriCorps? 
The two are similar, however, AmeriCorps is within the United States and PeaceCorps is outside the United States. 

Is AmeriCorps full time? 
Some of our positions are full-time (35-40 hours per week), and some are part-time (under 35 hours). 

How is Goodwill connected to AmeriCorps? 
Goodwill manages AmeriCorps positions in Maine, New Hampshire, and northern Vermont, though there are currently no positions in Northern Vermont. 

Is AmeriCorps a job? 
Legally speaking, AmeriCorps is classified as stipended service and not a job. However, it is considered employment for some limited purposes and pays a stipend.

What are the requirements for joining AmeriCorps? 
AmeriCorps members must be 18+. The immigration requirements vary by program, with the most flexible program requiring members to be asylees with work authorization cards. Contact us to see if your immigration status is compliant with our programs. 

Is AmeriCorps an internship? 
Legally speaking, AmeriCorps is classified as National Service and not an internship. However, AmeriCorps provides many benefits that an internship provides like often being entry-level and always having professional development opportunities, and 10 hours a month of paid training, such as courses, or workshops. 

What benefits does AmeriCorps offer? 
In addition to the stipend, AmeriCorps offers health benefits, childcare, and an end of year education award. Some positions may offer additional benefits like housing or reimbursement for commuting costs. 

Is AmeriCorps entry-level? 
Generally, yes. Some sites may choose to require experience or a degree, but by in large our positions are meant for entry-level candidates. 

Who usually joins AmeriCorps? 
AmeriCorps can be for anyone who meets our requirements and can live on our stipend, but there are three main groups of people who tend to serve: Recent college graduates who are early in their careers, people who have been in one career for a while and want to begin a new career, and seniors who are retired.