OPP

Hartford AmeriCorps

OPP implements one of the most successful AmeriCorps, a national service program, in the state. The mission of Hartford AmeriCorps is to implement a community service program in which diverse 17-54 year old AmeriCorps Members assist in improving the educational achievement of school-age children.

Hartford AmeriCorps helped me to grow from a high school graduate to a young adult in the working world.

Amoke Bigelow - '97-'98

Hartford AmeriCorps services children in grades K through 4 deemed at-risk of low academic achievement, located in four Hartford elementary schools. AmeriCorps members also lead Hartford students and citizens in community service and service learning projects that draw on the communities’ strengths to address its needs. The AmeriCorps also builds a community of caring by developing members as productive citizens and life-long learners. Members provide the following:

  • Individual tutoring
  • Facilitate literacy achievement in one-on-one and in-class settings
  • Provide after-school homework help on an individual basis
  •  Provide after-school programming for children and youth
  • Act as mentors and role models to students
  • Coordinate community service and service-learning activities for students and volunteers from the community

Hartford AmeriCorps members are trained and demonstrate skills in at least two of four leadership competency areas:

  1. Collaboration and Teamwork
  2. Leadership, Vision, and Community Creation
  3. Motivation, Coaching and Empowerment
  4. Verbal Communication and Public Presentation

Hartford AmeriCorps helped me make a smooth transition to becoming a mature adult.

Seth Schreier - '03-'04

In addition, the Hartford AmeriCorps program offers OPP youth a strategy that helps them earn a higher education award while gaining direct experience in the field of education. Approximately 40% of the Hartford AmeriCorps members are from Hartford schools.

Become a Hartford AmeriCorps member

Hartford AmeriCorps members earn a bi-weekly stipend. Full-time members receive $11,100; part-time members receive $5,876.

Interested? Call 860.761.7305 or 860.761.7303. Or complete an application on-line at www.americorps.gov

This project is supported by the Connecticut Commission on Community Service, a partnership of the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Connecticut Department of Higher Education.