Georgia 4-H is seeking eight applicants for AmeriCorps state member positions in Clayton, Decatur, Haralson, Lincoln, Muscogee, Paulding, Union and Washington counties.

AmeriCorps, a domestic program modeled after the Peace Corps, offers individuals the chance to make a difference in communities throughout Georgia. Through Georgia 4-H, an AmeriCorps State Grant provides funding for positions to help improve the lives of youths in counties that face persistent poverty. This is the second year Georgia 4-H has received grant funding for the AmeriCorps State Program.

“Having faced extreme budget cuts over the past three years, our partnership with the AmeriCorps program has allowed us to continue to deliver 4-H to the youth of Georgia with the same standard of excellence we have in the past,” said Beverly Sparks, dean of University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. UGA Extension administers the Georgia 4-H program.

The eight new AmeriCorps staff members will join eight existing members, who contributed more than 22,000 hours of service to Georgia 4-H this past year. They reached more than 8,000 students with programs focused on the importance of healthy lifestyles and reached out to 961 children of military families. They also helped more than 900 4-H’ers with their Georgia 4-H projects and 15,300 students through in-school 4-H programs.

Jenna Daniel, AmeriCorps State Program coordinator, says through Georgia 4-H, AmeriCorps members “ identify the needs of the community they live in and work to make a difference in the lives of youth by addressing healthy living and childhood obesity, leadership skills, public speaking and supporting military youth and families.”

“AmeriCorps state positions are perfect for recent college graduates and those looking for new options in the field of youth development,” she said.

During their year of service, AmeriCorps staff members receive a modest living allowance, health insurance and may be eligible to temporarily postpone the repayment of their qualified student loans. AmeriCorps members who complete a full year of service are also eligible for a $5,500 educational award to go toward approved educational expenses.

Interested applicants must apply for these AmeriCorps positions by the end of September on the UGA IPAWS website at www.ugajobsearch.com/applicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp. To find the application, search for “community service specialist positions.”

For more information about the Georgia 4-H/AmeriCorps State Program partnership, contact Daniel at jbrown10@uga.edu, or visit www.georgia4h.org/americorps.