Public and nonprofit organizations in the Minot region could benefit from AmeriCorps services recruited through the efforts of Souris Basin Planning Council.

SBPC is an intermediary sponsor for the fiscal year 2019 AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps State programs. It hopes to match up to 16 AmeriCorps members with organizations in the region.

SBPC has received $142,826 toward eight AmeriCorps member slots through the VISTA program and $60,768 toward eight member slots from the North Dakota Department of Commerce. Both are programs of part of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

“The purpose of the program is to engage people to volunteer to dedicate time to organizations in some way,” said Briselda Hernandez, business opportunities manager with SBPC. “It’s a very unique opportunity for organizations and for members.”

The AmeriCorps program’s overall goal is to help communities alleviate poverty. To that end, it focuses on economic opportunity, healthy futures and education.

SBPC’s mission is to support communities, leaders and entrepreneurs to advance economic progress in the region. This year, SBPC launched the Souris Basin Community Builder Program to increase the capacity of North Dakota’s public and nonprofit organizations, and as part of that initiative, it aims to recruit AmeriCorps members to assist those groups.

SBPC is looking for nonprofit organizations interested in hosting an AmeriCorps member in their agencies and for local residents who would like to work in the region as AmeriCorps members. The program pays members a stipend, provides educational assistance and may offer other benefits.

AmeriCorps members don’t replace organization staff but can augment efforts by providing direct service, whether it is supporting a food bank, providing youth development activities, tutoring and mentoring or providing job placement services.

VISTA members provide indirect service through capacity building. For instance, they might be engaged in research on best practices, database development, grant writing or community outreach.

SBPC will be utilizing the services of an AmeriCorps VISTA member who will be arriving in August.

“Along with expanding our capacity, one big focus is entrepreneurship, especially in rural communities,” Hernandez said. SBPC’s VISTA member will be assisting in identifying gaps in entrepreneurship services and researching creative solutions as well as researching downtown revitalization in communities.

Another AmeriCorps VISTA member has been assigned to work both with Strengthen ND in Minot and Arikara Community Action Group in White Shield. Strengthen ND supports and advances community development through work with nonprofits and rural communities. ACAG serves indigenous youth and supports opportunities for positive change through education, civic engagement and leadership training that are grounded Arikara culture.

SBPC has identified other organizations in the region interested in hosting an AmeriCorps VISTA member but hopes to find more. SBPC’s region includes Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Renville, Pierce and Ward counties.

The challenge with 16 available slots is being able to recruit the AmeriCorps members to fill the positions, because the need is there among organizations, Hernandez said.

AmeriCorps operates a national portal where members can find and apply for open positions. However, that process is quite competitive. Hernandez, who once served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, hopes to recruit locally to encourage area residents who are interested in the local slots to apply to AmeriCorps to become a member.

A college student willing to work for a stipend in exchange for hands-on experience, involvement in the community and educational assistance can benefit from an AmeriCorps stint. Tasks typically can be coordinated around school schedules, particularly in the state program.

Recent college graduates, retirees or others who want to put their skills to work in their communities also might find themselves a good fit for AmeriCorps. Earned education benefits can be used toward college loans, or participants aged 55 and older can transfer benefits to another family member.

SBPC plans to enhance the benefits of the AmeriCorps program by providing members with basic grant-writing training and an introduction to the community to help create connections for members.

“We want it to be more than a stipend and educational award. We want to really make it an experience for them,” Hernandez said.

SBPC can act as a sponsor for three consecutive years, which means organizations and AmeriCorps members could apply or re-apply for any available slots in future years as well.

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SBPC seeks organizations, workers to partner in AmeriCorps program

Souris Basin Planning Council is seeking public and nonprofit organizations and area residents interested in helping their communities to participate in the AmeriCorps program.

Eight people are sought through the AmeriCorps State Program to serve 900 hours. Members will receive a living allowance of $7,200 ($600 a month, pretax). They also are eligible for a $3,047 educational award.

Eight AmeriCorps VISTA members also are sought. They will receive a modest bi-weekly living allowance and can choose a $6,095 education award or cash stipend of $1,800.

Members may be eligible for child-care assistance and healthcare benefits.

To be eligible through the state program, a person must be at least 17 years old, pass a criminal history check and be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident alien. A person must be at least 18 years old to apply for a VISTA assignment.

Member opportunities will become available this fall.

SBPC also is seeking organizations interested in hosting an AmeriCorps member to work with their agencies. They contribute a $3,028 match for each AmeriCorps member hosted, provide on-site orientation, logistical support and mileage reimbursement. SBPC handles program payroll in the state program, training and ongoing support for all members and supervisors and the grant reporting, oversight and management.

To learn more, visit sourisbasin.org/community-builder. For additional details, call Briselda Hernandez at 701-255-1982.