AmeriCorps Members

Founded in 2015, 1 Year to Empowerment is a year-long program designed to promote self-esteem, self-respect, and self-reliance through a year-long and free experience full of empowering and meaningful experiences. Our activities include personal development, financial literacy, and a long list of very fun and engaging activities from aerial yoga, to boxing and self-defense, to doing an escape room.

   
What makes this program unique is the large emphasis placed upon empowerees to better themselves and their peers. It is truly a supportive group and a safe place to be oneself and to grow. While this is not a therapeutic program, it is designed to promote mental and physical wellness and balance. A very large reason we have been so successful in this area is the exceptional staff and mentors we bring to activities. They are role models and set an accepting and safe space for our Empowerees to be themselves and to be kind to one another. Our mentors and staff also value their own growth and the satisfaction they get from interacting with our empowerees.
   
This program includes teenage girls from many schools and counties. This is intentional to ensure that our empowerees are able to learn from one another and engage with other teens who come from different backgrounds. 

Activities typically take place on Tuesday evenings (4:00 to 7:00) and Saturday mornings (9:00 to 12:00). This occasionally varies but is pretty standard. We also determine the schedule early in the year for planning purposes. Thus, interested applicants will need to be available on those days/times and will be expected to follow through on the following responsibilities.

The main responsibilities of the member will include the following:

• Attend all empowerment activities 

• Offer mentorship in an accepting, nonjudgmental manner.

• Serve as a positive role model during activities. 

• Engage empowerees in activities and encourage those who are hesitant to participate, in appropriate ways. 

• Attend weekly staff meetings to prepare for upcoming activities. 

• Assist the Activities Director in planning and preparing for each activity.  This may include shopping for necessary items, arriving early to set up, and staying late to assist with clean up.  

• Assist with fundraising events. This may include soliciting donations, helping the empowerees with performances, attending the events, and advocating for support from the community. 

• Assist with clerical tasks (organizing, filing, and keeping the office space clean)

Requirements for applicants include the following:

• Have a strong interestin serving the community

• Be able to relate to diverse populations 

• Be at least 18 years of age

• Able to provide copy of either high school diploma, GED, or college transcript

• Have reliabletransportation

• Must successfully pass a comprehensive Criminal History Check, which includes FBI fingerprinting

• Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or lawful permanent resident alien

• Applicants DO NOT need to be college students, anyone from the community who fits the above requirements may participate.

• Per Taylor House Museum, must be able to go up and down stairs repeatedly.

Benefits available to the AmeriCorps Member include:

• Valuable experience 

• An education award of $1,565 for future educational expenses or repayment of federal student loans - members who are age 55 or older may gift their ed. award to a child or grandchild

• Federal student loan forbearance while in service, with exemption from paying interest accrued during that time 

• Access to AmeriCorps Alumni Network

The member will begin on or after August 15th, 2025 and must complete 300 hours by August 14th, 2026.  

This position is offered through a partnership with ShoreCorps, the AmeriCorps program at Salisbury University. It is contingent upon federal funding and approval of the AmeriCorps office. 

To fill out an application, visit www.salisbury.edu/americorpsand click on ‘Become a Member’ and then ‘Fill out an application.’

AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical community needs. Similar to the Military or the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps is another form of service to our country. The mission of AmeriCorps is to make our people safer, stronger and healthier; to strengthen our communities; and to Get Things Done for America. Our program, ShoreCorps, is one of hundreds of AmeriCorps programs nationwide. To learn more about AmeriCorps https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps