CSS AmeriCorps Program –
Community Building Blocks

AmeriCorps members are as young as 17 and may be over 80, they are individuals who are committed to serving their communities and country. AmeriCorps members are from all walks of life, reflecting America’s diversity in age, ethnicity, education, race, gender, and religion. AmeriCorps is a national program that engages people in service to meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other areas. Members serve in nonprofit, and community and faith-based organizations. Full-time members give one year of service providing 1700 hours of service and part-time members serve fewer hours.

The Community Service Society currently offers two AmeriCorps programs:

Experience Corps volunteer in PS 262 in Brooklyn

Photo by Mike Relph

CSS RSVP New York City Experience Corps AmeriCorps Program

Members are age 55 and older, and they serve as part-time Literacy Tutors, focusing on first and second grade students who need to gain literacy skills to enable them to read on grade level. For information about Experience Corps AmeriCorps contact Kemba Tamar, at 212 614-5499 or at ktamar@cssny.org.

CSS AmeriCorps Program – Community Building Blocks

Members serve in different CSS departments as project facilitators, an Outreach Specialist, Resident Organizers, Literacy Leaders, and Community Organizers who focus on journalism and economics. For information on these service positions contact Judy James, at 212 614-5499 or at jjames@cssny.org.

Service opportunities with the CSS AmeriCorps Program - Community Building Blocks include six positions:

Project Developers with the Prejudice Reduction Program

Members work with CSS staff and lead teams of volunteers of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in presenting a series of anti-bias workshops to New York City public elementary school students in order to build an understanding and respect for human differences among local youth. Members assist with the recruitment of new volunteers, prepare for and participate in volunteer training, lead meetings, prepare materials for lessons, research materials, and assist in administering student pre/post tests, volunteer evaluations, and program reports.

Outreach Specialist with PBRC

This member works with staff of the Public Benefits Resource Center to expand PBRC’s capacity to assist clients by representing selected individuals at public assistance related fair hearings, and assist in developing material for a new workshop on advocacy and fair hearings; conducts PBRC overview presentations and training sessions on how to use the PBRC Manual Online to community-based organizations; and researches and updates information for the PBRC Manual.

Journalism and Marketing Member with the Community Development Department

The member coordinates activities with the CSS Outreach Project Coordinator and community volunteers to produce a quality newspaper as an effective communication tool for community members; assists in developing plans for and distribution of the newspaper; recruits community volunteers; interviews community members; collects articles, information and advertisements; and participates in community meetings and events.

Economic Development Outreach Member with the Community Development Department

One member will work with staff to survey community businesses to assess needs, strengths and challenges of the Gates Avenue area in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn; organize an annual merchants activity to highlight businesses in this area; conduct focus groups and PowerPoint presentations with merchants and business owners; work with Pratt institute to map the Gates Avenue commercial strip; and participate in and practice volunteer management skills.

Resident Organizers in East Harlem New York City Housing Authority Buildings

Two members assist the Director of the Resident Alliance in conducting outreach to targeted public housing communities, prepare and disseminate informational materials, conducts meetings and forums, makes presentations, and works on special projects as needed. The Resident Organizers also assess and report on the on-going progress of the project goals.

Literacy Team Leaders in Experience Corps

Literacy Team Leaders work with the RSVP Experience Corps staff and volunteers to improve the literacy skills of educationally at-risk students by serving with a team of literacy tutors in an elementary school in New York City. Literacy Team Leaders assist staff with program development, provide training and ongoing support to volunteers, coordinate the classroom setting, provide one-on-one tutoring to first and second grade students, prepare and coordinate lesson plans, update student’s folders daily, coordinate team building opportunities for volunteers, monitor volunteers who perform one-on-one Book Buddies tutoring sessions and volunteers who are in classrooms serving students and assisting teachers, record statistical assessment of students, and report to the Unit Supervisor any disciplinary issues related to volunteers and students, and any meeting requests from school administration.

Member Development

All members meet as a team during each month of service and participate in various training sessions presented by CSS staff, team members and project consultants; perform service projects developed by the team; and plan and participate in educational activities. Training topics include developing communication, team building, leadership, self-assessment and computer skills; public speaking, community outreach, program development; and how to make effective presentations and conduct successful meetings. Members meet regularly to integrate perceptions and reflect on the value of providing direct service in response to the needs and challenges confronting low-income communities in the areas of health, education, housing, and issues related to youth and senior citizens.