The brainchild of former President Bill Clinton, AmeriCorps celebrates 20 years of community service this September. Through programs like AmeriCorps, the U.S. needs to invest its interest and money domestically to encourage community service.
The official AmeriCorps website touts over 1.2 billion hours of community service and an investment of $2.7 billion in education and student loan aid since its inception.
AmeriCorps serves as a domestic branch of the Peace Corps and promotes programs that send individuals to low-income or tragedy-stricken communities. Although the AmeriCorps network ranges greatly, from a foster parent program to elderly companionship to disaster aid, it provides critical support for Americans that may otherwise be neglected.
"Think of it: Millions of energetic young men and women serving their country by policing the streets or teaching the children or caring for the sick. Or working with the elderly and people with disabilities. Or helping young people to stay off drugs and out of gangs, giving us all a sense of new hope and limitless possibilities," Clinton said in his presidential nomination acceptance speech at the 1992 Democratic Party convention.
AmeriCorps was established during an era prefacing the Internet bubble for which the 1990s are now known. Clinton recognized the needs of the nation, and as a great leader proposed an idea the simulated that of his own favorite leader, former President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy signed an executive order in 1961 that founded the Peace Corps, which promotes similar programs as AmeriCorps on an international scale.
Moreover, the program was established as a bipartisan effort, an unheard of venture in America today. With gridlock and dissent constantly plaguing our Congress, a consensual act to benefit the greater good of American life is no easy feat. When Clinton established this organization, it was an ambitious venture, in the same vein as Kennedy establishing the Peace Corp; fortunately, the numbers show it was merely another good call by Clinton.
The purpose of the AmeriCorps is to re-energize Americans and give them a larger purpose than themselves. A part of being Americans includes being in service to your country. Military service is sometimes narrowly considered the only way to serve the country; however, the AmeriCorps is a clear example of other ways to serve your community.
The U.S. needs to invest more money into programs like AmeriCorps. Not only does it give new graduates real world experience in the workforce, but it also allows undeserved Americans an opportunity to work with ambitious and innovative adults, eager to meet their needs. ASU currently ranks 11th in the nation for recent graduates in Teach for America, a member of the AmeriCorps network.
The unemployment figures continue to decrease since the Great Recession. In August, the unemployment rate fell to 6.1 percent, more than 1 percent lower than at the same time last year. However, the U.S. remains around a percentage point away from the ideal unemployment rate in a healthy economy. Investing a larger part of the budget towards the AmeriCorps will encourage young Americans (a disproportionately unemployed group) to not only find employment, but to make a difference in another citizen's life.
Although Clinton’s presidency is remembered as a period of great American prosperity and technological innovation, after 20 years, it has become evident that AmeriCorps may be his largest contribution to American society as a whole.
Reach the columnist at jemeyer3@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @JordanElizaM
Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
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