Northern Indiana Interfaith Action Corps (NIIAC)

URC AmeriCorps Program

The United Religious Community (URC) is currently in the final stages of the planning grant application process for an AmeriCorps program. Pending funding approval in April, we anticipate being able to begin having AmeriCorps members by August, and would love for you to be one of them! If you have interest, even if exploratory, please fill out this form.

What is AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps is a program that pairs service members with local organizations that work to better the community. AmeriCorps’s mission is "to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering”. AmeriCorps members can have a varying degree of time commitment, from a minimum-time (300 hours) role to a full-time (1700 hours) role, and help their organization meet their service needs. The URC is currently recruiting to fill 10 full-time AmeriCorps positions who would begin their year-long term in August. 4 of these members would work directly with URC while 6 members would be paired with local partner service sites. We also have 2 quarter-time (450 hours) and 2 minimum-time (300 hours) positions available.

Why should I do AmeriCorps at URC?

Serving as an AmeriCorps member at URC offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact in the lives of refugees and immigrants in St. Joseph County. By joining the team, members will have the chance to gain valuable experience in the field of refugee resettlement and nonprofit humanitarian interventions. They will also have the opportunity to work alongside a diverse and dedicated team of staff and volunteers who are committed to helping refugees and immigrants establish lives of purpose and dignity. Due to the opportunity to develop valuable skills and to learn about best practices and innovative solutions in the field, serving as an AmeriCorps member at URC is sure to prepare you for whatever your next steps may be, not to mention serving as an attractive resume builder. For those graduating college, AmeriCorps often serves as a great gap-year service option!

Among these mentioned benefits, full-time service members receive an $17,600 living allowance/stipend, optional health insurance, and a $6,495 education award upon completion of service that can be used towards student loans, future education, or, if you are over the age of 55, applied to a child or grandchild. The living stipend is distributed evenly twice a month regardless of the distribution of your hours.

What would being an AmeriCorps member at URC look like?

What is the time commitment for an AmeriCorps member?

Full-time members typically serve one-year long term for a total of 1700 hours, including any training and orientations. This is equivalent to about 35 hours per week over 48 weeks, or 40 hours a week for 42 weeks.

Quarter-time members typically serve as full-time during summers or part-time during the academic year (~12 hours/week). Minimum-time members can also serve as full-time for shorter summer terms or part-time during the academic year (~8 hours/week).

What are the general responsibilities of an ameriCorps member?

AmeriCorps Members will be responsible for supporting the organization's mission of providing refugees with a warm welcome and essential services to help them rebuild their lives in South Bend, as well as assisting in interfaith and other justice-oriented initiatives that the URC engages in.

While specific categories and projects will be assigned to certain AmeriCorps member roles, general responsibilities would include:

  1. Assist in the development and implementation of programs and services that support the integration and empowerment of refugee communities, including welcoming families, and supporting initiatives in housing assistance, employment assistance, education assistance and placement, transportation assistance, and health care navigation.

  2. Assist in facilitating volunteer outreach and engagement, by recruiting and managing volunteers, and providing training and support.

  3. Research best practices and innovative approaches for refugee resettlement and advocate for the needs and rights of refugees in the community.

  4. Be available and flexible to support the organization with emerging needs, including participating in all required meetings, trainings, and events as assigned by the supervisor or executive director.

What are the Specific roles and Qualifications for an AmeriCorps member Applicant?

Please see below or click this link to view the full position description for an AmeriCorps Member at URC:

You mentioned some members may be placed at partner service sites. what would Those look like?

We expect 6 members will primarily serve at partner service sites. This means their roles and responsibilities will largely be determined by the partner organization, but they still remain a part of URC’s AmeriCorps program. URC will therefore be responsible for all AmeriCorps training, distribution of living stipends and benefits, and any legal/bureaucratic tasks. Likely partner sites include: Beacon Health System, St. Margaret's House, South Bend Community Schools Corporation (Bilingual/Migrant Services), Saint Mary's College Sustainable Farm, St. Joe Public Library, La Casa de Amistad, and Self-Healing Communities of Greater Michiana.

What does the timeline look like?

While any AmeriCorps positions are pending funding approval, we expect to have full funding approval by April 21st and we will be able to formally fill positions then. AmeriCorps member terms would likely begin around August 15, 2023. Full-time members would be expected to serve for close to one year. Quarter-time and minimum-time positions will be open during the 2023-2024 academic year or the summer of 2024.

I am interested in being an AmeriCorps member at URC! What should I do next?

Amazing! If you have any interest at all, even if just initial interest, please fill out this AmeriCorps interest form and we will be in touch. You can also email americorps@urcsjc.org if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or thoughts!