Albany, Natrona and Laramie county nonprofit organizations seeking additional help can use the services of the University of Wyoming and the Center for Volunteer Service (CVS).
The AmeriCorps program, Connecting Campus and Community (CCC), is searching for host sites in those three counties that are in need of volunteers for the coming school year. CCC places students in the nonprofit organizations that need help with increasing organizational capacity through volunteer recruitment, resource development and partnership facilitation.
CCC is funded through a federal grant from the Corporation for National Community Service awarded through SERVE Wyoming and sponsored by the UW CVS. Host sites must contribute a $525 cash match to supplement the federal grant that makes CCC possible, says Katie Kleinhesselink, CVS coordinator.
Host site match is applied directly to member support costs, specifically a living stipend. They also are responsible for assisting with member recruitment, supervising and providing onsite member training as applicable. The CVS will recruit and find the members as well as offer support to the host organizations, Kleinhesselink says.
"Organizations are welcome to apply for more than one AmeriCorps member if they can demonstrate sufficient need," she adds. "This is a great way to add additional support to a nonprofit at a minimal cost as well as provide students with a great opportunity to grow and learn."
All proposals will be reviewed by an AmeriCorps advisory committee. Host sites will be selected based on applicant's demonstrated need in the program focus areas; ability to support member service; evidence of program sustainability beyond the project period; and ability to contribute to the development and growth of the AmeriCorps member serving with the respective organization. Deadline to apply is March 5.
For more information, call Kleinhesselink at (307) 766-3117 or e-mail kkleinhe@uwyo.edu. Applications also are available at www.uwyo.edu/uwvolunteers.
