Is AmeriCorps still useful?
Federal agency still trying to acclimate to service members with disabilities
Sure, AmeriCorps provides opportunities for citizens to help solve important problems in their communities. At least, that’s the theory.
The federal grant program provides money to nonprofits, municipalities, colleges and universities and other entities to hire people to help out in roles the grant recipient might not be able to do on its own. This is called “capacity building”, a buzzword that’s absolutely meaningless.
The people that serve are called members and paid peanuts. The experience is marketed as some way to understand how people in poverty live. This is an obvious gimmick and it would be better to pay members close to a living wage for their area. Marketing the program as a way for some people to gain work experience in public service and nonprofits and it just might work.
