Are You Up for the Challenge ?	AmeriCorps provides the opportunity to put idealism to work. In AmeriCorps, members learn teamwork, communication, responsibility and other essential skills that help them be successful throughout their lives. Members also gain the personal satisfaction of taking on a challenge and seeing results.  Over 10,000 Illinois residents have answered the challenge.  Are you up to it ? VOCAL AmeriCorps Program The central goal of the VOCAL - Volunteer Outreach for Community Action in Literacy - program is to expand the volunteer base of community and faith-based adult literacy programs by recruiting, placing and training AmeriCorps members to serve as Literacy Specialists and tutors in adult literacy programs throughout the state.  As Literacy Specialists, AmeriCorps members serve as one-to-one and small group tutors, are involved with volunteer recruitment and retention activities and help to secure other resources for their host site, including books, program materials, and "give -away" items for tutor and student celebrations.  Members are also involved in special events to generate awareness of and support for the literacy activities of the agency.   Take a look at our monthly newsletter and Host Descriptions to get a closer view of 2009 - 2010 members and activities: August 2009 - 2010 Host Sites
Application Form and Instructions The VOCAL program is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service through the Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.     If you are interested in submitting an application to be an AmeriCorps member, complete the downloaded application from our site or click on the AmeriCorps icon below to go to their website to submit an application along with two references electronically.  Completed applications along with two references can be mailed, faxed or personally brought in to LV-Illinois offices at 30 East Adams St., Suite 1130, Chicago, IL  60603.  312/857-1586 (fax) AmeriCorps Application       AmeriCorps Website    Position Description      Benefits Along with the satisfaction of making a difference in someone's life and gaining personal experiences that will never be forgotten, members also receive the following benefits:   Full-Time Member - 1700 hours Bi-weekly living allowance of $11,800 a year Health insurance and (income-based) child care Student Loan Deferment & Interest Accrual Waiver Initial, in-service and hands-on "job" training Post service educational award of $5,350.00   Part-Time Member - 900 hours  Bi-weekly living allowance based on $5,900 a year Student Loan Deferment & Interest Accrual Waiver Initial, in-service and hands-on "job" training Post service educational award of $2,625.00   Minimum-Time Member- 300 hours Student Loan Deferment & Interest Accrual Waiver Initial, in-service and hands-on "job" training Post service education award of $1,000
Agencies interested in becoming a host site, click on the following materials: call for host sites, host site application and renewal application.