I am curious what sorts of projects people have had in NCCC Traditional, particularly the Pacific and Southwest programs. A friend of a friend says that she did NCCC Traditional and one of her projects was tax work, and I'm curious if anyone else has had similar experiences. I'm mostly interested in hands-on stuff (construction, disaster relief, etc.), and I'm thinking traditional might not be right for me if there's a chance I'd end up behind a desk.

Asking for advice: How to go about serving in another program in AmeriCorps if the prior program I was released from lied about my performance?? They said my performance was Unsatisfactory and I have the proof! (Emails, texts, photos) that prove the opposite. My mid performance evaluation was satisfactory (because I did everything I was supposed to and more than what was required) but because they didn’t like me since I was outspoken and stood up for myself, they gave me an unsatisfactory review. Will other programs know and refuse me? They said I wouldn’t be able to serve again. How do I go about disputing the performance review?? I actually filed a grievance about it but no one directly addressed it. Obviously there are more cons to pros when it comes to serving in AmeriCorps, example: living in poverty, overworked and underpaid, poor management, fraud, immature adults. WDID?

Looking for former classmates from A*NCCC San Diego, Class 1 or Class 3??? I am looking to reconnect with Thomas Alcock, Jario Stredic, Willie Homes, and others. Also, if anyone is from CT or the CT area, I’d like to maybe set up a meetup

Hello, I am applying to city day and my location will have 2 positions, what the main differences because I'm not finding good info on their site

i was saving itfor when i start my bachelor’s, but should i just use it all up now to pay down my student loan (3500)? or do you think it’ll be safe

I’m super annoyed/stressed right now…last year, I graduated and was not employed. Given my circumstances, I thought it would be a good chance to use my education award to pay off my remaining $6000 in student loans. I requested the payment in November. It was accepted in December, per my AmeriCorps account.

However, as I log into my student loan accounts, they both say I paid in the month of January. I am now employed, so from my understanding, I’ll have even more taxes taken out this year from my award.

Am I understanding this correctly? Will the taxes count from last year or this year.

I know the freeze was unfrozen, but the trump administration is saying the freeze is still “in full effect” whatever that means… But anyways, my program coordinator says our stipends will definitely not be affected, even if there is a freeze. And she also says that she is confident about the standing of our program if it is to come under investigation. For reference, I’m serving in a state/national environmental program. Just an update for anyone else who is worried.

Hi I just graduated with my degree in environmental studies and have been applying relentlessly to jobs. I haven’t gotten many responses back which is why I decided to apply to AmeriCorps. However I just got offered a position in Helena Montana and have two days to decide whether or not to do it. I’m from TN and have never even been to Montana so I have no idea what it’s like and if I’ll be able to survive the snow. I have a Prius so that’s definitely my main concern. I also don’t know anyone there and fear I’ll be lonely and not be able to make any friends (from what I’ve heard Helena doesn’t have many young people/aren’t receptive to out of state ppl) I’m conflicted because I do like the job description. It’s a new program through AmeriCorps called AgCorps and I would be working as a food business specialist and understanding why Native American farmers aren’t using the programs they offer. Since it is new, there isn’t anything out there that shares details on how the program is. I’m also concerned about the pay and maintaining rent and groceries on such a small budget. I just don’t know if it’s worth it. I do think I would get good experience and it could potentially help me get a full time job after. But I also don’t know how true that is and if I should keep trying to apply to full-time jobs instead. I’d love to know any thoughts on AmeriCorps, AgCorps, or Montana in general!!

Hey guys, I have accepted a position as a city year in Providence for the 25-26 school year but because of the budget cuts I’m really reconsidering. Being payed so little is obviously already a concern but I will have familial support so I’ll be ok, but I’m afraid to commit to moving across the country for something that might suddenly stop paying me at all. Would you recommend that I start applying for other jobs just in case? (I will be graduating with a batchelors in May)

https://preview.redd.it/ot8mfjaqaxfe1.png?width=1234&format=png&auto=webp&s=027b606677e90245c07878d30b2a60bc0d39565c

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/01/28/upshot/federal-programs-funding-trump-omb.html?unlocked_article_code=1.s04.i2UZ.9MflzmuXM2zl&smid=url-share&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&stream=top

I accepted a position with Campus Climate Corp set to start next week…is my funding gonna get cut now with the federal funding freeze?

Edit: I called my team and they say it’s 50/50 my position gets cut but they will let me know in the following days.

Edit: got an email today that my start date is postponed in the meantime

Curious if you all think AmeriCorp will get funding for the 25-26 service year. I'm currently looking for positions as a second term, but I do have this concern.

Wondering how all this will go forward. I know most if not all AmeriCorps programming is grant funded

I’m really confused about this; I’ve been getting conflicting information from multiple sources so I’m hoping some other people might know. I’m currently serving my second full AmeriCorps term and I want to do a third term, even though I will have two education awards by the end of my current term. From what I knew of the past AmeriCorps rules, I thought that you can keep serving after you’re received two ed awards, but you just won’t receive the ed award anymore. I emailed my AmeriCorps coordinator to double check and she told me that there’s a new rule and I actually can’t serve another term at all after receiving two ed awards. This was really shocking and I couldn’t find anything about it online, so I also called the AmeriCorps hotline and they told me that I can serve another term and just not receive another ed award, which is what I already thought! But now I’m not sure which source is accurate. Sorry for the long explanation but I’m super confused and would love to know if anyone has gotten a clear answer on this! Thanks!

I've never written a motivation statement before. Am I overthinking this, or is this fine? Any significant changes you would make?

"I first heard about Americorps during the required “getting to know each other” part of class from one of my peers. As soon as class let out, I researched the program and knew I wanted to apply for the Summer of Service.

I have always been passionate about helping my community in whatever way I can, ever since I was a kid. My volunteering began all the way back in Kindergarten with my not-so-popular game called “Trash Pick-up,” which I’m sure you can imagine how that went over with the other kids. Nowadays, I find that outside of work and school, it’s much more difficult to find ways to make a difference. After hearing about the program, I felt that this summer would be a great time to try out the Summer of Service program and give myself fully to volunteering and helping others/the country. 

Although my desire to serve, especially with recent natural disasters, is my primary reason for pursuing this program, I also have a strong desire to travel and experience communities other than my own. I have never lived outside of my small, rural town in the Midwest. While I love my small town, I believe I would greatly benefit from experiencing the world outside of this bubble I found myself in. 

I have had much experience volunteering, especially in middle/high school. I am dedicated to projects I am working on, whether that be volunteering or work, and am not one to back down from a challenge. I have a strong work ethic- I currently am holding two jobs, go to school, and occasionally do volunteer work with local theatres. I appreciate your consideration. "

I don't get why you have to safety when backing out the van. I get if it's in a tight spot and the space is limited, but safetying in an empty parking lot is ridiculous. If your sense of direction and awareness is that awful you shouldn't be driving. I remember having to safety my TL to leave campus and he was waiting for me to give him a signal on which way to turn on a ONE WAY STREET. Safetying is stupid and I stand by that.

I am applying to americorps NCCC summer of service for summer 2025. I have heard about a strict drug screening on entry, but I am wondering when this would be done in the process to plan when to go clean.

I have used recently, and am worried that based on what part of the application process the test is administered in, it may already be too late.

How is the New Hampshire conservation corps? What did you like and dislike about the program? What should I know before applying?

I've been struggling to find positions that will begin during the Fall months. My current position will end this July, and want to lock something down for when that time comes.

Most jobs I'm finding now start, at best, mid-May, but most of them are starting February or March.

I found my current position open in January. Was that just luck, or is my site unusual for opening positions early?

I’m currently serving in a Conservation position in the Midwest, and I could really use some advice. My site has almost nothing to do, yet I’m still expected to meet a certain number of hours each month. I’m trying my best, but it’s getting incredibly stressful because I feel like I physically can’t meet these expectations with the lack of work available. It’s the cold season here, which only adds to the difficulty of finding tasks or projects. I’m really close to quitting because the stress is taking such a toll on me. Has anyone else dealt with a situation like this? How did you navigate finding hours or dealing with the pressure? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

My son is graduating from high school in June and is interested in joining but he doesn't turn 18 until mid-July. Would he have to wait a year?

He is strong, a rower, but has had some back issues. Worried that might be a problem too.

Thoughts?

So I sent in a request to use my Ed award back in October. Classes started last week. A week before, I got a message left on my request from the trust saying that they needed manual completion. The guy who is in charge of FA doesn't know what this is. I called up americorps and they told me its a release form that was sent to the university but no one in the office appears to know what it is. They want me to send in another request but I can't because my award expired. I'm caught in limbo.

Has anyone had this happen while they were trying to access their funds or have any sort of idea how to proceed? I feel like I'm trying to do someone else's job at this point and it's been a wildly frustrating experience.

I’m serving in conservation. My job description implied I would be doing lots of field work and earning practical skills. However I’ve been doing little more than busywork that my host site supervisors themselves doesn’t really seem to care about. Now I hear them talking about hiring an intern to do the work I was promised to be doing. Not sure what to do about this?

I've served with AmeriCorps once before a few years ago and decided to do another year before going back to school. I started in Fall 2024, made it very clear to everyone that I am disabled.

As we got closer to winter, I got very ill to the point I couldn't leave my bed. I was off my site for two weeks (and this is definitely where I made my mistake) and decided to go back without taking a medical leave because I thought I would be able to push through it for my clients... But my attendance did get very spotty. Came back from winter break, was feeling a lot better, and planned on turning my attendance around! I wanted to be there and to support my clients/other staff!

Randomly, I got a call saying that a doctor's appointment I've been waiting months for was available to me, so of course I took this opportunity and explained to my site supervisor (and others I was supposed to report to) that I wouldn't be in that day but I was excited to return the next. My site supervisor didn't get back to me, but someone else did and asked to talk about my schedule. I was excited to report that my condition was taking a huge turn for the better, apologize for my attendance, and move forward.

What we actually talked about was completely unexpected. I was told that I was no longer welcome on the site but I had the option to return the next day and say goodbye to staff I was working with, and that they would work with my team leader to find a new site. I contacted the team leader on my own and was told that everyone's frustration was valid (which, obviously. Never did I try to argue this, I just wanted to know what to fo to move forward) and they aren't sure if there's another site I can be placed at, so I may need to exit early.

Now my immediate thought was to basically beg not to exit early. I want to continue serving, even if I have to leave this host site. I've got a few thoughts now.

1. Actually. Leaving this host site would be a relief. While things did turn around eventually, I was a victim of a hate crime within two weeks of being on the site. Called a homophobic slur, but since I couldn't identify who exactly said it, no one on the site could do anything. Again, this was my second week. There are over 1K people I'm helping to serve, I hadn't gotten (or at least remembered) everyone's names yet. No one on site could do anything to help me. AmeriCorps couldn't do anything, but I understood this and wasn't angry at anyone on that side!

2. Nobody spoke to me directly about my attendance unless it was a "thanks for the heads up, hope you feel better!" kind of message. The supervisor that called, not affiliated with AmeriCorps beyond helping with placement, didn't tell me what we would talk about other than my "schedule."

After this, I spoke to a friend who is an active social worker. She is claiming that what they did (acknowledging that my reason for absence was part of my disability, then telling me I can't return to my host site without warning) was illegal. I have no interest in pursuing legal action. ZERO interest. I wish that my situation was better and that someone would have spoken to me sooner so I could've shown that I intended on turning everything around, as I am now in limbo while they try to find a host site/keep pushing the idea of early exit...

I'm not sure what to do. Signs are pointing to early exit, but I would like to keep serving as volunteering keeps me close to the community. And, to a lesser but still VERY stressful extent, the living stipend is the only source of income I have.

I'm interested for signing up for forestry and fire prevention, but I would like to hear from preferably a recent alumni of the program what their whole experience was like from first long distance travel to training, what were the assessments like, the general vibe of people you're gonna spend most of a year around, the housing and living stipend experience, the general day to day work load, and the leaving/return home. and important stuff that I may have forgotten to list. Thanks to all who reply!

I served as an Americorps VISTA in 2022 for the summer program- only 3 months. My total award is $1,374.60. I just now requested to receive it towards my federal loans (January 22nd.)

I’m seeing a lot of back on forth on Reddit about if this award is taxed and if so, how much. Also, since I technically requested it in 2025, I’m guessing I won’t have to deal with the tax repercussions until I file taxes next year?

Any help, guidance, or resources would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I will be starting FEMA Winter Corps 2025 and on a daily basis I been checking reddit to find anecdotes and to attempt to get answers. I still have a couple questions and inquires.

1. Can any NCCC FEMA Alumni provide information about the background check / security clearance. It seems super intense and I would like as much detail as possible. Feel free to message me if you're not comfortable going into specifics in the comments.
2. Is it likely this FEMA Corps class would be deployed to Cali to help with the wild fires, or Florida and North Carolina to assist with Hurricane Milton?
3. Do FEMA Corps members spend a lot of time in DC, as that is where FEMA HQ are located?
4. Is it possible to get a job with FEMA other than a reservist without a degree? Thanks in advance everyone.

Hello everyone, I wanted to ask about the federal hiring freeze that has just been enacted. I am aware that we had something similar back in 2017, I just wanted to ask how AmeriCorps (plus Peace Corps since it's in the same boat) will be affected by it. Will it be that new applicants will still be able to join for this year, though without NCE, but experience longer review times? Thanks for the help, I'm just really anxious about the situation since my chance to get into the State Department is now gone for the time being because of this.