AmeriCorps at Habitat Wake Since 2001
Since 2001, annual teams of AmeriCorps (www.americorps.org) members have worked in leadership roles alongside staff, homeowners and volunteers to build 140+ homes. AmeriCorps members have a unique position at Habitat Wake; they are oftentimes the first contact that volunteers and homeowner families have with Habitat on the construction site. As a result, the bonds of friendship become strong.
With varied backgrounds in economics, psychology, math, foreign languages and marketing, AmeriCorps members at Habitat Wake become dynamic construction site leaders. They may be skilled in sports and volunteering on arrival. (Construction skills are a plus, not a requirement when applying.) Many have interests ranging from teaching, sewing, photography and hiking. Habitat Wake appreciates the talents, energy and dedication that AmeriCorps members contribute as staff. Due in large part to the annual teams, Habitat Wake has nearly doubled the housing ministry's building capacity compared to the previous 15 years before hosting AmeriCorps members.
Note: Since 1994, Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members throughout the United States have served 1.5 million hours and have worked alongside 300,000 Habitat volunteers to build more than 2,500 houses.
Fun Facts
- The first AmeriCorps team at Habitat Wake worked 2001-2002; including that year, 29 AmeriCorps members have served at Habitat Wake (seven served two years)
- 140+ homes have been built at Habitat Wake with the help of 29 AmeriCorps members
- 140+ diverse partner families have worked alongside Habitat Wake AmeriCorps
- 600+ volunteers per month work on construction sites under the leadership of Habitat Wake AmeriCorps members
- Six Habitat Wake AmeriCorps alumni have been hired full-time at Habitat Wake, other Habitat affiliates or within the AmeriCorps Program (At various times over the past seven years, Habitat Wake has hired seven NC AmeriCorps alums.)
- AmeriCorps members have worked alongside student volunteers from NC State University, Peace College, Shaw University, Meredith College, St. Augustine’s College, Wake Tech Community College and various high schools
- Students from at least 40-50 colleges/universities constructed homes alongside AmeriCorps through Collegiate Challenge trips to Habitat Wake (This includes international student groups from Canada & Ireland.)
- AmeriCorps members have built homes in seven cities/towns in Wake County
AmeriCorps Projects and Traditions at Habitat Wake
- americorps_buildathon
- Six Habitat AmeriCorps/Alumni Build-A-Thons: 2002 - Raleigh, NC; 2003 - Valdosta, GA; 2004 - Greensboro, NC; 2005 - Charleston, SC; 2006 - Mobile, AL; 2007- Gulfport, MS
- Three Home Builders Blitzes (a program founded at Habitat Wake and now a Habitat for Humanity International event): 12 homes in December 2002; 24 homes in December 2003; 20 homes in June 2006
- AmeriCorps members joined members of the NC Association of Realtors® (NCAR) to construct walls for a house that will become home to a family in Lacombe, LA. This house-in-a-box project was part of Habitat for Humanity International's Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.
AmeriCorps members taught NHL Carolina Hurricanes players, coaches, staff and booster club members how to build walls at a build day at the hockey arena. The walls will be framed in Fall 2007 to become a home for a family relocating to Raleigh, NC, because of displacement by Hurricane Katrina.- Womens Build projects with various groups in Raleigh, NC
In 2005 and 2007, Habitat Wake AmeriCorps hosted a Day of Service for NC AmeriCorps members on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. AmeriCorps members from statewide affiliates worked on a Habitat home. This day was selected as an appropriate honor to Dr. King who throughout his life stressed the need for all people to work together to help those less fortunate and to speak up for those who had no influence. (In January 2007, AmeriCorps members came from Chatham, Durham, Goldsboro-Wayne, Greensboro, Moore and Orange Counties. Habitat Wake staff members treated participants to a chili cookoff.)- AmeriCorps members construct Habitat homes alongside student volunteers from the NC State Habitat Chapter, which has sponsored 13 homes in partnership with Habitat Wake since 1991
- The 2004-2005 AmeriCorps team built Santa’s Workshop at a local shopping center
- Habitat Wake AmeriCorps members have organized or joined varied community service projects including canned food drives for the Food Back of Eastern NC, book drives for a local literacy council and tree planting events to celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day
AmeriCorps members and construction staff host a 'staff build day' each year to invite colleagues from other areas of the affiliate (family services, ReStore, administrative, and fundraising) to construct homes
AmeriCorps Team
for 2008-2009
AmeriCorps members serve an 11-month term constructing houses under the guidance of Habitat Wake construction staff. While in service, AmeriCorps members receive a living stipend and insurance. An education award is granted upon completion of a successful term of service. Opportunities are available to adults age 18 or older who possess a high school diploma or GED. Previous construction, community service and/or leadership experience is helpful but not required for acceptance into this program. Habitat Wake will hire six (possibly seven) AmeriCorps members to serve September 2008-July 2009 as construction supervisors. For information about how to apply, please review our Fequently Asked Questions and job description.
The AmeriCorps Pledge
I will get things done for America - to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier.
I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities.
Faced with apathy, I will take action.
Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground.
Faced with adversity, I will persevere.
I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond.
I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.
