AmeriCorps Seniors, a program dedicated to connecting people aged 55 and older with meaningful volunteer opportunities, is thrilled to invite residents of all ages to the upcoming Volunteer Fair on Tuesday, Nov. 14. This event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Genesee County Office For The Aging, located at 2 Bank St., Batavia.

The AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Fair promises to be an enlightening and engaging event, open to all members of the community who wish to explore the world of volunteering and community service. Courtney Iburi, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Director, will be available to help guide and connect people to volunteer opportunities. She is committed to finding the perfect volunteer opportunity to match your interests, skills, and passions.

What to Expect 

• Diverse Volunteer Opportunities: AmeriCorps Seniors partners with numerous local organizations to provide a wide array of volunteer opportunities. This event is your chance to learn about these opportunities and how you can get involved.
• Perfect Match for You: Finding the right volunteer opportunity that aligns with your interests and skills is crucial. At the Volunteer Fair, you will discover how AmeriCorps Seniors can help you find the perfect volunteer match that not only fulfills your desire to give back but also utilizes your talents effectively. 
• Support and Recognition: AmeriCorps Seniors offers valuable support to volunteers, including supplemental liability insurance while volunteering and various training opportunities. We also make it a point to celebrate our volunteers at an annual recognition event, acknowledging their contributions to the community.

AmeriCorps Seniors is committed to providing meaningful ways for individuals to purposefully serve their community, creating a positive impact on the lives of others. 

The first 50 attendees will receive a special gift package containing an insulated tote, notebook, and pen. A drawing for exciting prizes will also be held for every attendee who visits each attending table. For more information about the AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Fair or any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 585-343-1611.

Submitted photo, information from a press release:

Today members of Genesee County’s RSVP and AmeriCorps programs spent the day sorting donated nonperishable food items that they will deliver to three local food pantries.

This was part of a coordinated a service project to help community members in need as a way to honor 9/11 victims and those who rose in service in response to 9/11.

The donated food items were collected at RSVP volunteer stations, AmeriCorps host sites and County Government offices. 

For more information on volunteer opportunities, please contact Courtney Iburi (RSVP) at 585-343-1611. 

Genesee County’s RSVP and AmeriCorps programs are coordinating a service project to help community members in need as a way to honor 9/11 victims and those who rose in service in response to 9/11. Non-perishable food items will be collected from Aug. 14 – 31 at the following RSVP volunteer stations, AmeriCorps host sites and County Government offices: 

• Genesee County Office for the Aging & Youth Bureau, 2 Bank St., Batavia;
• Genesee County Building I, 15 Main St., Batavia (3^rd Floor near elevator);
• Genesee County Building II, 3837 W. Main Street Road, Batavia;
• Catholic Charities, 25 Liberty St., Suite 7, Batavia;
• Gillam-Grant Community Center, 6966 W. Bergen Road, Bergen;
• Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia.

All donations will be delivered to local food pantries during the week of 9/11. 

For more information, please contact Courtney Iburi (RSVP) at 585-343-1611 or Kathy Frank (AmeriCorps) at 585-344-3960.

As part of a budget proposal from President Donald Trump, funding for AmeriCorps, founded in 1994 and a part of the Corporation for National and Community Service, would be cut after 2017-18.

Jocelyn Sikorski, director of the Youth Bureau, shared her concerns about the future of the program with members of the County Legislature yesterday during the Human Services Committee meeting.

AmeriCorps, under the direction of Genesee County, provides a variety of services to nonprofit and government agencies throughout the GLOW region. Participants, usually teens, earn a living allowance and up to $5,800  for college -- paid directly to the college. Retirees can also serve and bank their college awards for their grandchildren to use anytime within seven years.

"That's significant if you're a college student you're only going to a local college," Sikorski said. "That might cover almost a semester. So it's significant money when you look at what they get for an education from their work."

A concern for supporters of AmeriCorps is that members of the majority party in both the Senate and House have long wanted to eliminate funding for the program, so while Trump's budget is just merely a proposal, cuts for such programs may gain support from congressional members.

The share of the budget for CNCS, a total of $1 billion, which also supports the senior program RSVP, is less than 3/10ths of a percent of the entire federal budget.

We requested a statement from the office of Rep. Chris Collins on the proposed cut this afternoon but have not yet received a response.

More than 80,000 people participate in AmeriCorps each year, including 35 in the GLOW region.  

AmeriCorp members mentor students, support veterans and military families, work in parts and on community projects. They also organize part-time volunteers for programs and projects.

According to a Columbia University Study, each dollar invested in community service programs, such as AmericCorps, returns $4 in benefits. 

The CNCS also raised $1.26 billion in private contributions to help supplement federal funding.

UPDATE 6:35 p.m.: We received the following statement from the office of Rep. Chris Collins:

“The budget proposal released by President Trump expands upon the priorities he previously released back in March. This proposal shows the President is committed to balancing the federal budget over 10 years, shrinking government and cutting tax rates to get our economy growing.  Balancing the federal budget is an important goal and I commend the President for making this a priority. Additionally, this budget protects a commitment President Trump made to rebuild our military and I appreciate him taking the necessary steps to make sure we are keeping America safe.

“As I said before, Congress will have vital say in this budget process and my top priority is always about fighting for my constituents. I am committed to protecting programs like NIH funding, Community Block Grants, Meals on Wheels, Great Lakes funding, among others, that play an important role in strengthening our community. We will take a careful look at all programs to make sure taxpayers are getting an appropriate bang for their buck.

“As we focus on creating jobs, reducing the national debt, and keeping Americans safe, it is clear that difficult decisions will need to be made. Ultimately, it is up to Congress to make these funding decisions. My constituents know that I will continue fighting for their best interests above all else.”

In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, groups all over are engaging in MLK Day of Service activities, and in Batavia, Americorps and Zonta Club of Batavia came together in the Senior Center this morning to work on a couple of charitable projects.

Volunteers created birthing kits to be shipped to women in Africa and they created book bundles to give to needy children.

The Genesee County Youth Bureau has been notified that our AmeriCorps application has been approved for another year of funding by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

As a result of this good news, we have begun planning for year 13 of our program, which will start on Oct. 1. As part of this process, nonprofit and government agencies are invited to attend an information session to receive details about AmeriCorps.

Presentations are being held at the Hoag Library in Albion on July 25, the Wyoming County Agriculture and Business Center in Warsaw on July 26 and the Genesee County Senior Center, located at 2 Bank St. in Batavia, from 10 a.m. to noon on Wedensday, July 27.

Organizations have utilized AmeriCorps members for a variety of projects. Assignments include activities that fall under one or more of these focus areas: healthy futures fitness and nutrition education for youth, environmental stewardship education and agency capacity building. Host sites complete a proposal that outlines the duties for each position. Members can create new programs or enhance existing services, and their work can benefit different parts of your agency. 

Proposals requesting members to begin serving this fall are due by Aug. 19. Member recruitment and selection will begin after that date. Please contact Kathy Frank at 585-344-3960 or Kathy.Frank@co.genesee.ny.us for more details about the information sessions or to discuss options for your organization.

The Genesee County Youth Bureau will honor its AmeriCorps members during National AmeriCorps Week, March 5 – 12. All AmeriCorps programs are urged to use this opportunity to celebrate the great things that our members have accomplished, to encourage participation in national service and to thank our community partners for their support of the program.

AmeriCorps members, who must be at least 17 years old and a U.S. citizen, agree to complete a specific number of service hours over a set time period.  Members receive a modest living allowance while serving and upon completion of their commitment qualify for a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. The education award can be used to pay for college or graduate school or to repay qualified student loans.

The Youth Bureau received a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to establish an AmeriCorps program beginning in October 2004. Since that time 357 members have been placed at more than 70 host site locations performing a combined total of 258,400 hours of service and earning over $711,000 in education awards.

Members serve at a variety of organizations in Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming and Cattaraugus counties. Sites include schools, community centers, libraries, county government departments and other human services agencies. Assignments fall under the categories of healthy futures fitness and nutrition education, environmental stewardship and capacity building.

Members are celebrating AmeriCorps Week by writing articles about their experience, creating displays and coordinating service projects for youth volunteers.

Members have been able to explore career options, learn valuable skills, help finance their education and have the satisfaction of knowing that they have made a positive contribution to their community. If you would like more information about serving in AmeriCorps or hosting a member at your agency, contact Kathy Frank at 585-344-3960 or Kathy.Frank@co.genesee.ny.us.

The Genesee County Youth Bureau has begun planning for year 11 of our AmeriCorps program, which starts Oct. 1. Agencies in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties use AmeriCorps members for a variety of projects. Assignments vary by site but all fall under the general categories of healthy futures fitness and nutrition education for youth, environmental stewardship education for youth and adults and capacity building through volunteer recruitment and expanded use of technology.

Members serve at a variety of non-profit agencies. Organizations currently looking for members are the Le Roy Christian Community Project, Jackson Elementary School, Orleans County Cooperative Extension, Gillam-Grant Community Center, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council, Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District, Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern and the Batavia Youth Center. Sites are still being recruited so other options may be available in the near future.

AmeriCorps members must be at least 17 years old and a U.S. citizen. There is no upper age limit. Members agree to complete a specific number of service hours over a fixed time frame, which cannot exceed 12 months. Three different levels of part-time participation are offered: 900 hours, 450 hours or 300 hours. Members earn a modest living allowance while serving. Living allowance amounts for 2015/16 are: $6,000 (900 hours); $3,000 (450 hours); and $2,000 (300 hours).

At the conclusion of the service term, members also qualify for an education award grant. The education award can be used to cover future college costs such as tuition and books or to repay any federally-backed student loan. Members have seven years after their service ends to spend the education award. Education award amounts for 2015/16 are: $2,865 (900 hours); $1,515 (450 hours); and $1,212 (300 hours). Members age 55 or older when they begin service can transfer the education award to a child or grandchild.

AmeriCorps is a great way to give something back to your community, earn some money, help pay for your college education and gain practical work experience. Please contact Kathy Frank at 585-344-3960 or Kathy.Frank@co.genesee.ny.us or further information or to request an application. The application can also be downloaded from the Youth Bureau page on the Genesee County Web site: www.co.genesee.ny.us.

The Genesee County Youth Bureau has been notified that our AmeriCorps application has been approved for another year of funding by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

As a result of this good news, we have begun planning for year 12 of our program, which will begin October 1. As part of this process, nonprofit and government agencies are invited to attend an information session to receive details about AmeriCorps.

Presentations are being held at Wyoming County Cooperative Extension in Warsaw and the Hoag Library in Albion on July 27 as well as at the Genesee County Senior Center on July 28.

Organizations have used AmeriCorps members for a variety of projects. Assignments include activities that fall under one or more of these focus areas: healthy futures fitness and nutrition education for youth; environmental stewardship education; and agency capacity building. Host sites complete a proposal that outlines the duties for each position. Members can create new programs or enhance existing services, and their work can benefit different parts of your agency.

Proposals requesting members to begin serving this fall are due by Aug. 10. Member recruitment and selection will begin after that date.

Please contact Kathy Frank at 585-344-3960 or Kathy.Frank@co.genesee.ny.us for more details about the information sessions or to discuss options for your organization further.

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today announced that the Genesee County Youth Bureau has received nearly $130,000 in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).  

This grant will put 34 AmeriCorps members on the ground to work with the Youth Bureau and several nonprofit and government agencies to provide fitness, nutrition and environmental education programs in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. The Genesee County Youth Bureau has been operating an AmeriCorps program since 2004.

“Congratulations go out to the Genesee County Youth Bureau for receiving this competitive grant and continuing to provide children and teens in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties with critical programs,” Congressman Collins said. “I also want to thank AmeriCorps members for answering the call to serve. AmeriCorps members are an indispensable resource for nonprofits, communities, and the individuals they serve. Citizen service is an essential part of the solutions to many of the challenges our communities face.”

The current year’s AmeriCorps grant cycle was highly competitive. The 2014 competition prioritized investments in economic opportunity, education, veterans and military families, and disaster services.

AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 members in intensive service annually to serve through nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations at 25,000 locations across the country. These members help communities tackle pressing problems while mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the AmeriCorps program. Since 1994, more than 830,000 Americans have provided more than 1 billion hours of service addressing critical challenges from poverty and hunger to disasters and the school dropout crisis.