While the specific program I was associated with has since been dissolved (Northwest Service Academy), this nationwide organization still exists in every state with a wide array of duties, tasks, and skills required -- from computer programming to teaching dance in youth detention centers: if you are looking for a positive way to impact your world -- please, please! Consider Americorps! While I would wish that everyone felt that service to the wider community was a worthy enough endeavor, I know there are other issues that direct a person in life so let me go over a few other perks of working with Americorps: 1) Student loans are deferred, without interest penalties, while you're in the program. 2) While in the program you get a monthly stipend as well as health and dental insurance! 3) Upon completing a year you receive over $6,000 towards any academic or vocational endeavors including paying off student loans, paying for housing while in school, or even textbooks! One can do this program for two years -- and while I know that college is very expensive, $12,000 is not chump-change! 4) Without a doubt I can say that the people I met and worked with within Americorps are as a whole, utterly remarkable people: surround yourself with amazing people and they'll rub off on you -- and you will inspire them! That said -- let me address a few other items: there's Senior Corps and Veteran Corps -- you don't need to be a young adult to do service like this! So please -- if you're in between jobs, want a change of the day-to-day life, are looking for a challenge, seeking to positively affect the world and others, feel a need to take a break after college or want to just see amazing places alongside amazing people -- please, do think about Americorps! I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Americorps.

PS: 1) There's a new logo for Americorps, but I prefer the one used when I was in the program, so that's the one I'm using. 2) In the "GET OUT" Banner: That's literally where I got to live when I was in Americorps -- at the base of Mount Adams near THE Gorge. 3) Write me if you have any questions about Americorps!