UIC AmeriCorps Project MORE (The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois)

AmeriCorps Project MORE is based out of the UIC Center for Literacy. MORE has been present at UIC since 2003. Through volunteerism, MORE members build a lifelong ethic of service to better serve communities and positively transform lives.

• About Us
  Each year AmeriCorps offers thousands of individuals the opportunity to contribute to communities, make a difference in society and develop professional skills.
  
  AmeriCorps Project MORE is based within the UIC Center for Literacy in collaboration with FAmily STart (FAST) Learning and support services.
  
  Members serving in AmeriCorps Project MORE support family and financial literacy development among parents enrolled in FAST programs by providing educational resources, literacy skills, and financial and family literacy workshops to Head Start parents.
  
  Project MORE places members into one of the following sites:
  
  Parent Resource Program
  GED South
  GED West
  Bilingual Literacy (ESL & Spanish GED)
  Parent Outreach Programs
• Our Impact
  AmeriCorps Project MORE members provide much needed economic opportunity services to Head Start Parents. By providing direct service, members give parents access to resources that allow them to enhance their education, work readiness, and financial literacy skills while promoting a life-long ethic of service.
  
  MORE Highlights
  *Since 2003, over 300 national service volunteers have completed a year of service, providing tutoring in GED/ESL, conducting family, financial and work readiness workshops for Chicago Head Start parents.
  *Members recruit community volunteers for Center programs.
  *Collaborates with community organizations and support various service projects benefiting Chicago communities including: MLK Service Day (serving homeless families), 9/11 Day of Service engaging veterans in service, and AmeriCorps week among others.
  *Full-time members commit to 1700 hours of service, minimum time members commit to 300 hours of service during their term.
  *AmeriCorps members receive a modest living stipend and those successfully complete their service receive an education award to cover education expenses (Full time award = $5,750, Minimum $1,212)
  *Builds an ethic of service & awareness to the importance of volunteerism.
  *Connects people from different walks of life & educational backgrounds allowing them to learn from one another's experience; members range in age from 18-64+, educational levels vary from individuals working towards a GED to those with a post-graduate degree.
  *Provides a welcoming environment for program participants. Many members come from the communities served and become role models and mentors.
  *AmeriCorps members receive bi-weekly training to enhance their professional development, communication, and civic engagement abilities while preparing for life after service.
  *Provides hands on valuable work experience in the education/literacy field
  *Over 20 current staff at the Center for Literacy are former AmeriCorps members.