AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, team-based residential program for men and women ages 18-24. AmeriCorps NCCC members are assigned to one of five regional campuses, where they are trained and assigned to teams of approximately 10 members. Teams complete a series short-term projects responding to urgent needs throughout the region. Teams serve with local and national organizations, infusing resources and leading volunteers for hundreds of organizations. These young adults respond to disasters, lead youth development activities, construct and rehabilitate low-income housing, clean up streams, help communities develop emergency plans, and address other pressing local needs.
Service Activities
NCCC teams complete a wide variety of projects with numerous organizations, in several cities and states across the region. This is a high-adventure program that allows members to make a difference and find their true calling.
Projects might include, to name a few:
Constructing and rehabilitating low-income housing.
Constructing or repairing hiking trails in local and national parks across America.
Improving summer camp structures and assisting with camp programming.
Responding to disasters by operating shelters, removing debris, coordinating volunteers and repairing or cleaning out homes.
Removing invasive vegetation and planting new trees.
Educating people on sustainability and energy conservation practices.
Receiving, inventorying, and distributing donated food and other goods.
Making facilities handicap accessible and installing informative public signs.
Directly assisting veterans, homeless, and senior citizen populations.
Community Need Addressed
NCCC members address, as a team, the urgent, short-term needs of nonprofit, government and other types of sponsoring organizations that lack the time, funding or staff to complete the work on their own. Since NCCC teams conduct a wide variety of projects in a variety of locations, specific needs that a particular team addresses will vary.
Position Outcomes
Sponsoring organizations will be able to meet their urgent, short-term needs, and maintain the team's work after the project's completion. Since NCCC teams conduct a wide variety of projects in a variety of locations, specific results will vary.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, College Credit, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Housing, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
NCCC provides travel to and from the campus at the beginning and end of the term, and all program-related travel during the term. No personal vehicle required.
Education Benefits
GED/High School Diploma
Skills you will gain
Teamwork, flexibility, work ethic, dependability, operating in a diverse environment, conflict resolution, public speaking, project management, time management, event coordination, office etiquette and professionalism, independent livings skills (food preparation, laundry, shopping, etc.), living/serving in a post-disaster environment, privacy and client confidentiality, networking, personal and work place safety, manual labor and tool skills related to carpentry, environmental conservation, disaster recovery and other types of service.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment