The theme of this year’s AmeriCorps Week is AmeriCorps Works and we’re highlighting some of the ways that national service creates incredible economic benefits for the US. Below you’ll find an article from our national partners about different ways that programs across the country develop members’ career pathways, strengthen local communities, and ultimately generate up to $34 for every $1 of federal investment!
Every day, Americans serving as AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers contribute to and enhance economic opportunities within their communities.
From hard skills, such as professional experience and industry-recognized certifications, to soft skills like leadership, communication, and critical thinking, AmeriCorps programs equip participants with valuable tools to prepare for their futures. These programs also create economic opportunities for both the members and the communities they serve by connecting the skills required with available resources and opportunities.
Empowering Americans to Choose Their Future
AmeriCorps is a proven pathway to careers. An AmeriCorps study found that national service programs focused on economic opportunity, like the Community Technology Empowerment Project, return up to $34 per federal dollar invested. The Community Technology Empowerment Project aims to enhance work readiness skills among community members in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metropolitan Area of Minnesota.
Through this program, AmeriCorps members provide one-on-one mentoring and training to participants, focusing on improving their digital skills and technology literacy. The program equips individuals with the latest technology skills to secure sustainable employment and enhance their civic, educational, and social opportunities.
Programs like CTEP demonstrate how national service prepares Americans for their future, helping maximize productive employment, economic growth, and self-sufficiency.
Passion for the Arts Helps Create Pathways
For AmeriCorps member Carrie, national service was an opportunity to follow her dreams. After graduating college, she pursued a career in chemistry but, she soon found herself seeking an alternative pathway.
Carrie decided her true passion was the arts and the time was ripe to pursue her dreams. She joined AmeriCorps VISTA to serve at the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council in Oxford, Miss., and now is immersed in the arts industry, helping artists in her community pursue their goals.
“I was lacking the fulfillment through the arts that I once had,” said Carrie. “I was able to switch careers on a dime and get back into the arts world, which I was really missing, and I have AmeriCorps to thank for that.”
As an AmeriCorps VISTA member, Carrie supports the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council’s programs, including arts initiatives, professional development courses, and services that benefit both artists and residents of Lafayette County.
AmeriCorps Works for the Community and Its Members
AmeriCorps members are also crucial during tax filing season, a process that, while necessary, can often be overwhelming.
AmeriCorps NCCC, the national service program for young adults aged 18 to 26, helps communities prepare for and file their taxes. In 2024, AmeriCorps NCCC activated volunteers and members to assist families across the nation, ensuring individuals received all the benefits for which they were eligible. More than 132 AmeriCorps NCCC members served to help Americans file their taxes, generating more than $22 million in refunds for nearly 24,000 individuals through the program’s no-cost tax filing services.
Bing, an AmeriCorps NCCC member who served with the United Way of Northeast Louisiana in Monroe, helped process a $10,000 refund for a single mother whose three children have disabilities.
“I was extremely excited when I saw it was $10,000,” Bing said. “You hear about how even a little bit of money back can help someone, and here is someone getting 10 grand. I think people should keep in mind that you may not have to go to a big company to get your taxes done, especially people who need it the most.”
While these AmeriCorps members positively impact their communities, they also gain valuable skills and experiences that can transform their lives. AmeriCorps NCCC members engaged in tax services receive an Advanced Tax Certification from the Internal Revenue Service, a credential that supports leadership development and enhances post-service employment opportunities.
Empower Communities and Yourself
As we continue to celebrate the valuable contributions of AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, and alumni, find out how AmeriCorps works for America every day.