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Deadline for the application is April 30, 2012. Awards will be made on June 14, 2012.


To view official PFC Ross McGinnis Medal of Honor Site, Click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

AmeriCorps is...

The national service movement that engages thousands of men and women of all ages and backgrounds in a domestic Peace Corps, aimed at meeting the needs in the areas of ... Education, Public Safety, Environment, and Human Services.

AmeriCorps is much more than a service program.  It is a movement that unites Americans to improve our neighborhoods and our lives.  In communities large and small throughout America,  AmeriCorps Members are taking responsibility, learning valuable skills, and helping their friends and neighbors. AmeriCorps is part of a tradition of service, and it represents America at its best - making a lasting difference while promoting the values of community, responsibility, and opportunity.

 

AmeriCorps Members help meet the nation's critical needs in the areas of public safety, education, human needs, and the environment.  In Pennsylvania, AmeriCorps State Programs are administered by PennSERVE, The Governor's Office of Citizen Service.

 

 

 

  • Resources for Applicants
      

  • Click here to go to the AmeriCorps.gov web site and apply through the National Recruitment System (requires additional paperwork to complete)
  • Full Year Application (Full Time, Part Time, Quarter Time or Minimum Time)
  • Summer 2012 Application -
  • Fingerprint registration form for FBI Clearance (included in application packet)
  • AmeriCorps Recruitment brochure for 2011-2012 program year
  • Fall 2011-2012 Application Packet
  • Recruitment Presentation

  • LEARN ALL ABOUT THE AMERICORPS EDUCATION AWARD

     

    Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps Applicants Must:

     

    · Be at least 17 yrs. of age

    · Submit application and 2 references, enrollment paperwork along with proof of the following:

       

    Birth Date / Age (must be at least 17 years old) - Driver’s License, or Photo ID – Valid government issued Photo ID

    Education (must have a high school diploma, GED, or agree to obtain one) – Verification of education must be submitted.

    Social Security Card – Social Security Card (must be signed); Social Security Benefit Statement; or DD-214

    Proof of US Citizen (must be US citizen or US national or lawful permanent resident alien of the US) - NOTICE OF REGISTRATION OF BIRTH IS NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO PROVE CITIZENSHIP

     

    Provide one of the following:

    -Birth Certificate showing that the individual was born on one of the 50 state, DC, Puerto Rick, Guam, the US Virgin Islands,

    -American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands.

    -US Passport un-expired, issued to an individual as a US Citizen, and signed

    -Report of Birth Abroad of a US Citizen (FS 240) Certificate of Birth

    -Certificate of Report of Birth (DS 1350) Permanent Resident Card, INS Form I 551

    -INS Certificate of Citizenship (Form N 560 or N 561) Alien Registration Card INS Form I 551

    -INS Certificate of Naturalization (Form N 550 or N 570)

    -Un-expired Passport indicating that the INS has approved temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence

    -Departure Record (INS Form I 94) indicating INS has approved it as temporary evidence of lawful permanent residence

     

    ·        Attend  bi-monthly member development sessions

    ·        Participate in SMILES member development program, including an online service-learning training, Community Emergency Response Team training

    ·        Be a High School Graduate or agree to obtain a high school diploma or GED before the end of their term

    ·        Have both a criminal record check, FBI, sex offender and a child abuse clearance

    ·        Make commitment to fulfilling a minimum number of hours

    ·        Complete data collection reports

    ·        Believe in “Getting Things Done!”

     

     

    2011-2012 SMILES AmeriCorps Members receive:

  • The satisfaction of finding a way to put idealism into action
  • Real-life education and work experience all in one
  • Training in - teamwork, communication, responsibility, First Aid, CPR, CERT, Disaster Preparedness, Service Learning (Online Course through Clarion University) and many other life skills.
  • A living allowance:
    $12,600 - Full-time members
    $6,600 - Half-time members
    $3,350 - Quarter time/summer members
  • An education award to help pay for college, graduate school, or vocational training
    $5,550 - Full-time members
    $2,775 - Half-time members
    $1,387.50 - Quarter time / Summer members
  • Student loan forbearance during term of service; interest accrued during service term paid upon successful completion
  • Full time members receive individual health insurance if not already covered by another policy.
  • Full time members received child care assistance - if income eligible (follows minimum PA State requirements)
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    Necessary forms to begin the application process

  • Complete Application Packet with References  and Clearance Applications (If selected, clearance application will be submitted and paid for by Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps. Please Note: If members have CURRENT clearances we you may submit them with application, but clearance applications must also be completed and submitted.
  • FBI Clearance

    Accepted Applicants cannot earn a living allowance or begin serving in their program until the following items are submitted for their member file. 

     

    · Proof of Identity: Driver’s license / PA State ID card

    · Social Security Card

    · Proof of citizenship: Birth Certificate - A  standard U.S. birth certificate issued by a state government is your primary proof of U.S. citizenship. (Birth certificates issued by hospitals are not official records and do not serve as proof of citizenship.)  Other documents accepted for citizenship are a U.S. Passports , Certificates of Citizenship or a Consular Registration of Birth Abroad

    · Proof of Education (High School Diploma, College ID, Transcripts)

     

  •

    How does the application process work

    The program consists of two components. First, one must explore and understand the AmeriCorps program. This program is administered by Keystone SMILES, which is a nonprofit organization responsible for the implementation of the AmeriCorps federal grant program. All potential members must understand the AmeriCorps program requirements and design.

    The initial application to be an AmeriCorps member is required to be submitted to Keystone SMILES through a paper application accessible at the top of this page or through the online recruitment system on the AmeriCorps website. Upon receipt of your application, interviews will be scheduled by the host site you are interested in serving. Keystone SMILES personnel will meet with all applicants to be sure the the applicant understands the AmeriCorps requirements for enrollment. The host site makes the final selection of members through personal interviews scheduled at their convenience. Selected applicants must attend an 4 day 3 night pre-service orientation before they are officially considered a member of Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps.
     

    The applicants will be notified via their host sites and/or Keystone SMILES through an acceptance packet. The acceptance packet must be completed in full and all required documentation submitted before the member is consider active in the program.

     

    Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps Members serve in many school districts and community organizations: 2011-2012 sites include:

     

    School districts include:

    - Commodore Perry School District, New Castle, PA

    - Cray Youth and Family Services, New Castle, PA

    - DuBois Area School District, DuBois, PA

    - Erie School District, Erie, PA

    - Fairview School District, Fairview, PA

    - Grove City School District, Grove City, PA

    - Kane School District, Kane, PA

    - Keystone School District, Knox, PA

    - Laurel School District, New Castle, PA

    - North Clarion School District, Tionesta, PA

    - Punxsutawney Area School District, Punxsutawney, PA

    - Reynolds School District, Reynolds, PA

    - Shaler Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA

    - Union Area School District, New Castle, PA

    - West Middlesex School District, West Middlesex, PA

    1.  Community Based (Members serve in a variety of programs providing educational and social/behavioral support to children of all ages.)

    Community Programs Include:

    - Boys and Girls Club Along the Allegheny, Emlenton, PA

    - Bridge Builders Community Foundation, Oil City, PA

    - Community Service of Venango County - Oil City, PA

    - Keystone SMILES Alternative Education, Knox, PA

    - Keystone SMILES Community Projects , Knox, PA

    - Keystone SMILES Preschool, Knox, PA

    - Lifelong Learning, Seneca, PA

    - Mercer County Housing Authority, Sharon, PA

    - Oil City Salvation Army, Oil City, PA

    - Oil City YMCA, Oil City, PA

    - Sharpsville Gardens Community Learning Center, Sharpsville, PA

    - Venango Literacy Council, Oil City, PA

    - Weed and Seed, Oil City, PA

    - Youth Philanthropy, Oil City, PA

     

    		  
       

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