AmeriCorps Service

AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in solving community problems. Each year, AmeriCorps offers thousands of opportunities to serve through local and national nonprofit groups. Apply your energy, ideals, and skills toward helping others and meeting critical needs in the community while gaining valuable skills and earning great benefits.

AmeriCorps provides an opportunity for individuals to serve full-time with Habitat for Humanity to help meet the housing needs of communities and families throughout the United States. The goal of the Habitat for Humanity National Service program is to help local Habitat affiliates operate more efficiently and effectively by maximizing existing volunteers, increasing capacity for new volunteers, and, most importantly, meeting the housing needs of communities by building more houses for low-income families. Beaches Habitat for Humanity has been a proud host of National Service members for nearly two decades.

Check out our AmeriCorps recruitment page to learn more about the positions currently available and our AmeriCorps FAQs for more information about AmeriCorps service at Beaches Habitat.

Still have questions? Contact our AmeriCorps Host Site Manager, Andy Thornton, at (904) 595-5806 or use the button below to send him an email.

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AmeriCorps FAQ

What is AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). In 1993, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) was established to connect Americans of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their communities and their nation. It merged the work and staffs of two predecessor agencies, ACTION and the Commission on National and Community Service. (americorps.gov) The first AmeriCorps members began their service in 1994.

There are three programs under the umbrella of AmeriCorps:

Beaches Habitat's members serve through the National or VISTA programs.

How are the programs different?

	State and National	VISTA
Service Type	Direct Service: lead skilled and unskilled volunteers and future homeowners, build and repair homes, recruit and retain volunteers.	Indirect Service: research solutions, implement programs, create manuals and training resources.
Goals	Help build capacity: support more volunteers, build more homes.	Help build programs and resources; create long-term sustainable benefits.
Age Requirement	17 and older	ages 18 to 24
Term of Service	10.5 months and 1700 hours of service	1 year of full-time service

Do I need to have construction experience?

No, construction experience is not required for any of our AmeriCorps positions. At Beaches Habitat, we look first at your commitment to service and enthusiasm for our mission.

It's great if you do have construction experience, especially with Beaches Habitat or another Habitat affiliate. However, we consider all of your qualifications when making our candidate selections.

What benefits do AmeriCorps members receive?

Modest living allowance;
Rent-free housing in a Beaches Habitat property shared by members while in service; housing benefit includes:
- utilities (water, electricity, sewer);
- basic furniture and cooking supplies;
- smart TV;
- shared washer and dryer;
Toolbelt and basic hand tools for construction members;
Health plan benefits - an ACA compliant health plan for National members, health care options for VISTA members;
Worker's compensation;
Training specific to service activities;
Childcare benefits, if you qualify;
Possible forbearance of your qualified student loan, including accrued interest payments after the successful completion of the term of service;
Eli Segal Education Award upon successful completion of the service term with a lifetime maximum of two awards;
Inclusion in a Member Assistance Program that offers counseling and financial planning resources.

What housing is available?

Beaches Habitat owns four modest 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartments in the vicinity of our administrative office. The apartments have basic furniture, including kitchen equipment, and access to a washer and dryer. Beaches Habitat covers the cost of rent, water, and electricity. Members are responsible for maintaining the interior and exterior of the apartments, including lawn care.

Apartments are limited to use by Beaches Habitat AmeriCorps members only, during their term of service. Due to space limitations, we cannot accommodate spouses, children, and/or other family members nor can we provide housing assistance if you do not use Beaches Habitat's housing.

Do I get time off?

AmeriCorps members observe the same holidays as Beaches Habitat staff. Members also have leave time for vacation and/or illness.

How often do I get paid?

AmeriCorps members receive their living allowance bi-weekly. Please be advised that, when starting service, processing can delay the first living allowance check up to a month. Members should plan for the delay when considering the financial implications of AmeriCorps service.

How do I become an AmeriCorps member at Beaches Habitat?

There is a mutual selection process for AmeriCorps members. Candidates apply by submitting their resumes through Habitat for Humanity's application portal. Beaches Habitat staff will review applications and contact qualified candidates for further information. The selection process typically includes two interviews: one by telephone and one by video chat. Qualified candidates may then be conditionally offered a position by a Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps Program Specialist and have the opportunity to accept or decline.

All offers for AmeriCorps service are dependent on members passing a background screening and completing the application for AmeriCorps service through the My AmeriCorps portal, including references.

If I am selected, when do I start?

Pending confirmation of funding, Beaches Habitat AmeriCorps members typically begin service in the fall. Specific start dates will be discussed during the application process.

Do I need to have a car?

Yes, a car is required for AmeriCorps members. Members will be required to travel between construction sites and other locations during service, often carrying supplies and equipment.

AmeriCorps members are eligible for reimbursement of approved service-related expenses, including mileage, according to Beaches Habitat's policy.

What is the area like? What is there to do?

Beaches Habitat's offices and AmeriCorps housing are located in Atlantic Beach, FL. We are a coastal town, so the biggest attraction is the beach! Our apartments are within a few miles of several beach accesses. The area also has many parks, including those with hiking trails, kayak launches, and other amenities. We're close to the cities of Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and several other beach towns. The greater Jacksonville area has many museums, cultural attractions, and great restaurants, and it's home to the Jacksonville Jaguars as well as several minor league sports teams.

Here are links to several sites with more local information: