Appalachian Ohio Restore Corps members serve a term of 12 months accumulating a total of 1,700 hours of community based service, an average service load of 35 hours a week. AORC runs August 26, 2024 to August 19, 2025.
Benefits for AmeriCorps Positions Include:
* An annual living allowance of $19,802
* An education award of $6,895 for a completed term of service to be used to pay student loans or for future education
* Health care coverage for members
* Child care (if income eligible)
* Mileage, training, and equipment budget totaling $1,400
* Assistance finding comfortable and affordable housing in your service community
* Professional development and training opportunities including valuable certifications and industry credentials
* Joining a family of AmeriCorps Alums in the region committed to lifelong-service and activism
* Student loan forbearance and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
* Networking with local non-profit and government leaders
* Connection to post-service careers with Employers of National Service
AORC AmeriCorps members serve at the following host site offices:
* Appalachian Accessible Food Network
* Crane Hollow/Museum Complex
* Dawes Arboretum
* Licking Park District
* Muskingum Valley Park District
* United Plant Savers
* Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
* Buckeye Trail Association
* Edge of Appalachia
* Camp Oty’okwa
* Perry Soil & Water Conservation District
* Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia
* Raccoon Creek Partnership
* and Rural Action Programs:
* Sustainable Agriculture
* Environmental Education
* Upcycle Ohio Thrift and Makerspace
* Zero Waste Program
* Climate Resiliency
* Sustainable Forestry
* Northern Programs
* Watershed
Visit https://ruralaction.org/aorc for more info.
Positions and benefits/compensation are subject to change pending program funding.
Service Activities
AORC service falls into one or more of the following tracks:
Conservation: Water and watershed restoration and conservation, Land stewardship and conservation, Public lands access, Hiking, biking, and walking trail-building, Invasive species, native species, and botany, Sustainable forestry, Native medicinals and non-timber forest products
Agriculture: Food access and hunger, Sustainable agriculture
Environmental Education: Citizen Science, Youth education, Community education
Reduced Waste: Waste reduction, Dumpsite cleanups, Upcycling and reuse
Energy: City/community planning, Home weatherization
Community Need Addressed
The Appalachian Ohio Restore Corps (AORC) mobilizes 70 AmeriCorps members to help educate youth and the public, restore, conserve, and preserve environmental resources, improve food distribution to people in poverty, support reduced waste and recycling initiatives, and support economic resilience through climate mitigation and sustainability projects.
Position Outcomes
Through their direct service and the volunteers they mobilize, AmeriCorps members help build the health and capacity of local communities.
Rural Action spent its early years mapping the assets of the region, exploring ideas of social, economic, and environmental sustainability through member-led committees. Through an early national service program, VISTA volunteers staffed these member projects and raised funds; Rural Action’s sector expertise was developed in the process. Today, staff in each sector collaborate heavily, engage stakeholders and volunteers, and seek resources to achieve more each year.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance
Benefits for AmeriCorps Positions Include:
* Access to fresh produce during the growing season
* Mileage, training, and equipment budget
* Assistance finding comfortable and affordable housing in your service community
* Professional development and training opportunities including valuable certifications and industry credentials
* Joining a family of AmeriCorps Alums in the region committed to lifelong-service and activism
* Networking with local non-profit and government leaders
Education Benefits
Credential or Certification
Members may have the opportunity to complete certifications for:
Red Cross CPR/AED and First Aid
Project WET
Project WILD
Project Learning Tree
Certified Solar Installer
Ohio Watershed Academy
EPA Credible Data Collection Level 2
Skills you will gain
Depending on placement site: Water quality, Environmental restoration, Working with youth, Interpretation, Community Development, Teamwork, Youth Development, Writing/Editing, Public Speaking, Volunteer Recruitment, Leadership, Fundraising/Grantwriting, Education, Computers/Technology, Communication, Community Organization
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Stay positive and outcome oriented
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them
Tools
Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines
Planning
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
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment