Scholars In Service

Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania is an AmeriCorps Education Award Only program (Ed Award). This means that participating students enroll as AmeriCorps members on a part-time basis and receive a partial Education Award at the end of their term. A student who completes 300 hours of service over one year can earn a $1,175 education award. The award can be used to pay for any legitimate educational expenses at their current undergraduate institution, for future educational expenses, or for paying student loans.

There are 3 types of Scholars
1. America Reads Scholars
2. Public Service Scholars
3. Community Engagement Scholars

America Reads Scholars
America Reads Scholars will be volunteering in local after school programs, as tutors and mentors. Students can earn their federal work-study funds, while also earning hours for AmeriCorps at the same time! 4 America Reads Scholars will be selected as the Site Leaders for the program. The Site Leader will help coordinate volunteer recruitment, lead regular reflections, and assist with logistics. They will act as the liaisons between the non-profit organization and the work-study students and volunteers. America Reads Scholars will be volunteering with one of the following after school programs: YMCA of the Brandywine Valley Youth Enrichment Program or YPAL Program, Sankofa Academy Charter School, The Melton Center, Scotts Middle School, The Garage Youth Empowerment Center, or the Care Center for Christ.

Public Service Scholars
Public Service Scholars will participate in direct service, as well as assist agencies with capacity building. They will recruit volunteers, hold regular reflection meetings for volunteers, and continue to build on our already existing partnerships with our community agencies. Public Service Scholars will work with primarily one non-profit agency, although AmeriCorps members are welcome to volunteer outside this partnership. Placements are flexible and the Office of Service-Learning and Volunteer Programs will work with students to make sure placement works with the student's schedule and interests. Placements may include the West Chester Senior Center, Safe Harbor of Chester County, Southeastern Pennsylvania Autism Resource Center, and the American Red Cross. Many of the students who are currently in this program also volunteer with the Honor Student Association, Alpha Phi Omega, and Adopt-a-Block.

Community Engagement Scholars
Community Engagement Scholars are the primary liaison between a service-learning course and a community agency. Community Engagement Scholars assist faculty members with setting up the community service project for the students in the course. They also assist with logistics, orientation, and reflection activities. They are similar to a Teaching Assistant, but they primarily focus on the service component of the course.

Orientation and Training

All three AmeriCorps Scholars programs will participate in an orientation and training coordinated by the Office of Service-Learning and Volunteer Programs. Several of the community agencies and faculty members will also participate in the training. This is a mandatory aspect of the program, so please be sure to leave the following the dates open: August 22—25, 2013

Application Process
To apply for the AmeriCorps Scholars Program, go to: https://orgsync.com/34350/forms/69155. Applications are due April 5, 2013

Current Scholars

The following students are part of the West Chester University Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania (SISPA) program: Audris Ahn, Jasmine Forster, Skye Hisiro, and Erin Prendergast. The SISPA's are serving at the following non-profit agencies: Safe Harbor, YMCA YPAL Program, Thorncroft Equestrian Stables, and Southern Pennsylvania Autism Resource Center (SPARC).

For questions about the program, please contact Jodi Roth.

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