AmeriCorps is a federally funded organization impacting communities across the nation. Each program is structured a bit differently, but all have the same goal – service. The Albion College AmeriCorps program has been serving and supporting the community since 2021.
Director Lindsey Knowlden shared a few insights of the Albion College AmeriCorps program, and the impact they have made over the past five years.
When committing to the program, Albion College students are committing to 300 community service hours to not only fill a requirement or make a paycheck, but gain meaningful experiences and help build the community they are living in. Once a member, students go through a match making process to be placed in the best suited community organization. For example, students with an environmental or sustainability interest may match with the Albion College Student Farm and Albion Community Gardens to support accessibility to fresh and local produce.
Beyond a helpful hand, the Albion College AmeriCorps program has built Signature Programs filling the needs of the Albion community. In partnership with the Albion Health Care Alliance, a few years ago, AmeriCorps created Tech Savvy Seniors. This student ran program offers free technical support to Albion area older adults. It connects Albion College students to seniors who may need support with any technology in their life. Students serve in various locations around Albion to answer questions about phone issues, or how to do certain activities on their computer. This program has been so successful, that they are looking into an expansion.
Another Signature Program developed by Albion College AmeriCorps is BrainCorps – an afterschool math tutoring program from Harrington Elementary students. In this program, elementary students learn how to apply math to everyday life experiences.
In 2021 the Albion College AmeriCorps program had 12 students, now they have 52, and this summer will exceed 80! Everyday Albion College AmeriCorps members are impacting the Albion community in placements like the Albion Economic Development Corporation, INNOVATE Albion, Forks Senior Center, Albion Community Gardens, There’s Enough, Harrington Elementary, Community Table of Albion, and so much more. The focus areas are extensive and the impact is everlasting.
For more information about AmeriCorps or if you’d like to become a community partner, contact Lindsey Knowlden at lknowlden@albion.edu.
