Janet Scott – AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps Team Leader
January 27, 2025I was interested in AmeriCorps because I wanted an experience; a way to travel, take a break from formal education, and meet a lot of new people. AmeriCorps ended up providing that for me. I am now a team leader for a subsection of AmeriCorps called the National Civilian Community Corps, which is a 10-month residential service program. It involves a lot of traveling and working in a group-based environment.
Currently, we are working in the Willamette Valley doing conservation and restoration work, like planting native plants or removing invasive species. Our projects can vary quite a bit, though. My last service term included construction work through Habitat for Humanity and disaster recovery organizations. In the upcoming service project, my team will be down in Los Angeles helping low-income folks file their taxes.
I think one of the largest beauties of this program has been the connections you make with other team members. You get really close with people pretty fast and learn how to develop awesome, sustainable relationships with members who are very different than you. I still keep in touch with friends that I lived with five years ago who continue to be really important in my life. I’ve also been surprised how quickly the places we travel to can start to feel like home. Even when homesickness hits, it's really cool to see how quickly I can connect with new places.
The opportunity for development and adventure in this program is amazing. Everyone I've seen go through this program has really grown into themselves. It also gives you so many opportunities to try things that you wouldn't be able to in most other settings. I’ve been able to explore different career paths and find what actually feels right for me and fits with what I want my future to look like.
To learn more about AmeriCorps programs, go to americorps.gov/serve
AmeriCorps Volunteer Opportunities in Oregon:
Campus Compact of Oregon
AmeriCorps Connect2Complete
Members promote academic engagement and attendance in K-12 schools and community colleges.
www.oregoncampuscompact.org
Phone: 503-406-3575
Confluence Environmental Center
Members address critical environmental needs related to: Energy & Resource Conservation; Healthy Watersheds, Environmental Education. Members educate and engage with low-income populations affected by social inequities.
www.confluencecenter.org
Phone: 503-719-6779
Forest Grove School District
Partnerships for Student Achievement
Members serve in Washington County schools providing tutoring, after school activities, volunteer recruitment, and parent connection.
www.fgsdk12.org
Phone: 503-359-8110 Ext. 4537
Metropolitan Family Service AmeriCorps
Members facilitate life skills and leadership learning opportunities for students, support family and community engagement activities, recruit and coordinate community volunteers, and conduct financial education workshops.
www.metfamily.org
Phone: 503-232-0007 Ext. 107
United Communities AmeriCorps
Members are placed with social service agencies in Douglas and Josephine Counties to address locally identified needs.
www.ucancap.org/americorps
Phone: 541-492-3919
College Possible IV
Members prepare low-income students for success in post-secondary education through academic and college preparation programming.
www.collegepossible.org/oregon
Phone: 971-407-2960
ETHOS INC
Members serve youth in underserved rural communities to access music education and programming, and engage volunteers to stimulate ongoing support for music education offerings.
ethos.org
Phone: 503-283-8467
Heart of Oregon Corps
Heart of Oregon Corps is a youth training and employment program that provides an avenue to reduce poverty, stimulate economic growth, and maintain the natural environment.
heartoforegon.org
Phone: 541-633-7834
University of Oregon
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments
The RARE program trains, places, and provides technical support to graduate level participants who live and work in communities throughout Oregon helping to improve economic, social, and environmental conditions.
rare.uoregon.edu
Phone: 541-632-3147