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Becoming a Literacy Corps Member
 If
you have a
passion for children’s literacy
issues, love children, have a flexible schedule, patience
and determination, consider joining our Literacy Corps!
Literacy Corps members agree to serve for
450 hours for one year beginning in the fall. For your
service you will receive a living stipend and an educational
award.
What are service assignments like?
Our Literacy Corps members may serve in several capacities.
Members are placed in school districts, municipal or
not-for-profit sites that have stated specific literacy
related goals.
In some instances Literacy Corps members are trained to
become Home Visitors for the Parent-Child Home program (www.parent-child.org).
At other sites, such as within school based Family Resource
Centers, Literacy Corps members lead story times, provide
homework help, assist struggling readers and promote
literacy initiatives for the community.
Benefits
As an AmeriCorps member you will receive a wealth of
benefits, starting with the satisfaction of getting things
done for and with people who need you. Other benefits
include:
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Living Stipend
As a Literacy Corps member, you will receive a total
of $2,949.00 taxable living stipend. This is
delivered in bi-weekly paychecks.
Educational Award
Literacy Corps
members
are eligible for a taxable
education reward of $1,250.00 at the end of your
450-hour term of service. All service hours must be
completed to receive the educational award.
There are three ways to utilize the educational award:
1)
Money for College
The educational award is awarded in voucher form, and
can be forwarded to any college or university that
accepts financial aid. The education award can be
applied to tuition only and may not be utilized for
room and board, textbooks or other supplies. You have
up to seven years to utilize your award.
2)
Help with Student Loans
If you already have student loans, you can utilize
your education award to pay them off. While you are an
AmeriCorps member, you may be eligible for deferment
on your student loans.
3)
Vocational Education
Most institutions of higher education that accept
financial aid, including vocational institutions, are
eligible to utilize the educational award to offset
tuition costs.
Training
All Rockland County AmeriCorps members receive
valuable training before they are placed at their
service assignment. Training is provided by a variety
of agencies, including the East Ramapo’s VISION
Program located in Chestnut Ridge, NY.
Literacy Corps members receive training in such areas
as: introducing literacy issues to children and
families, demonstrating verbal interaction,
encouraging language development through play, knowing
the community we serve, child development, team
building, outcome notation and evaluation, etc.
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Eligibility Requirements
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You must be a U.S. citizen or
U.S. national or a lawful permanent resident alien of the
United States
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You must be at least 21 years
old to join the Literacy Corps
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You must have a high school
diploma or GED or agree to obtain one before utilizing
your education award.
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Part-time weekly
availability-usually 10 to 20 hours per week.
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A passion for literacy issues
and the desire to assist children and families.
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