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CAC AmeriCorps from page 11 Nashville’s Community and Corporate based service-learning program
Partner Programs which promotes community, action,
VISTA Summer Associates: Short-Term Work responsibility, education and service
Finally, CAC AmeriCorps will host five The Community Partner Program as program cornerstones. Appalachia
builds capacity for more than 130 Cares AmeriCorps members engage in
VISTA Summer Associates June 8-July members through technology, training, direct service with youth, students, adults
31, 2020. The associates engage in full- and increased visibility to their service and volunteers throughout Tennessee
time service over an eight-week period opportunities and missions. Community in partnership with community-based
supporting programs that reduce child Partners include: 100 Black Men of organizations and local agencies.
hunger during the summer months, Middle Tennessee; 16:10 Now & Then,
that spread information about substance Inc.; 2nd Chance 4 Pets; 4:13 Strong; Appalachia Cares’ Rutledge Partners and
misuse, that increase food desert’s access to Adventure Science Center; Alive Hospice, Beyond
healthy/affordable food, and that support Inc.; American Cancer Society (Nashville
child mentoring services. Chapter); American Lung Association Appalachia Cares AmeriCorps
in Tennessee; American Red Cross members are directly serving more than
Summer associates work at one of (Nashville Chapter); and the Arthritis 50 Tennessee counties in partnership
three sites: ASAP of Anderson County Foundation, Southeast Region. with community-based organizations
(Clinton), Big Brothers Big Sisters of East and agencies across the state annually.
Tennessee (Knoxville) and CAC Summer The Corporate Partner Program Their current partners are: Appalachian
Food Service (Knoxville). They receive a connects community-minded businesses Outreach; Boys & Girls Club of the
modest living allowance of up to $1,888.88 with opportunities to give back through Tennessee Valley; Central Services,
distributed bi-weekly over the course of HON-managed volunteer events and Claiborne Economic Partnership; Clinch-
8 weeks (before taxes) and an education customized calendars of service. HON Powell; Gray Fossil Site & Museum;
award of $1,289.95 after completion of also supports disaster preparedness Habitat for Humanity of the Greater
service term (8 weeks) or a $276.64 end- and response for the Nashville Mayor’s Chattanooga Area; Jonesborough Locally
of-service stipend. If you know someone Office of Emergency Management as the Grown; Knoxville Habitat for Humanity;
who might be interested in becoming a designated volunteer activation partner Lakeway Area Habitat for Humanity;
2020 VISTA Summer Associate, please for the city’s Comprehensive Emergency McKinney Center; Northeast Tennessee
email christine.doka@knoxcac.org. Management Plan. Regional Economic Partnership; USDA
Natural Resource Conservation Service
CAC AmeriCorps program info can be HON AmeriCorps 2019-2020 Partner (NRCS); Rural Resources; Stepping Out,
found at www.cacamericorps.org. Agencies include: Cumberland River Inc.; Tennessee State Parks and Tipton
Compact; Harpeth Conservancy; Haynes State Historic Site.
In addition to the core/original Nashville Tree Foundation; Plant the Seed;
AmeriCorps program, here are two Richland Creek Watershed Alliance, and The overall goal of the program is to
other associated programs hosting the Tennessee Environmental Council. impact participants through service-
environmental volunteer members learning, focusing on Energy Efficiency
statewide. The HON AmeriCorps Program is & Conservation Practices, Community
Hands-On Nashville AmeriCorps Program made possible through generous support Housing Services, and Expanding
from Volunteer Tennessee and the Community Organizations.
Hands-On Nashville (https://www.hon. Margaret Maddox Charitable Fund.
org/americorps) (HON) was founded Their mission is to encourage and
in 1991 and focuses on projects in the For more information, visit support program participants, youth,
Nashville-Davidson County area. HON NationalService.gov. To learn more about and community volunteers to become
AmeriCorps Program engages civic- the HON AmeriCorps Program, contact civically engaged, inspired, and motivated,
minded individuals in yearlong terms program manager Nicki Avila at (615) 298- realizing they can use their own skills,
of public service as well as connects 1108 ext. 407, or email nicki@hon.org. knowledge, and education to make a
thousands of volunteers of all ages to more positive contribution to their communities
than 300 service projects each month. Appalachia Cares: Statewide AmeriCorps regardless of their talents or deficits.
program
AmeriCorps members are part of a The Appalachia Cares program is a
19-person cohort that receives skills Appalachia Cares, based out of Rutledge, grant-funded AmeriCorps program
training, professional development, Tennessee, is a statewide AmeriCorps through the Corporation for National
and networking opportunities through program that places members primarily and Community Service. The grant is
a partnership between HON and related to housing, energy, and capacity awarded by Volunteer Tennessee located
participating AmeriCorps Program building focuses, but also has some in Nashville. The program is locally
agencies. members placed with State Parks. sponsored by Clinch-Powell. AmeriCorps
engages more than 75,000 Americans in
HON’s volunteer programs build Appalachia Cares AmeriCorps offers intensive service each year at nonprofits,
capacity for the community and corporate service opportunities in Tennessee in a schools, public agencies, and community
partners, and engage volunteers. By variety of community-based agencies. Full and faith-based groups across the country.
developing relationships between time (1700 hours / 12 months), Half time To learn more, visit the AmeriCorps
community organizations and those who (900 hours / 8-12 months) and Quarter website at https://clinchpowell.net/
serve, volunteers can increase their impact time (450 hours / 4 months) service content/appalachia-cares.
on the community. contracts may be available depending on
service sites and positions offered.
Appalachia Cares is a community-
12 TPW May/June 2020