Q

Is it a full time program?

A

Yes. Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members serve Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Some evening and weekend hours are also required.

Q

How long is the program and when does it start?

A

Hands On Atlanta’s AmeriCorps is a 10-month, full-time program. Team Leaders in the 2007-08 program will start in mid-July 2007, and Service Leaders will start in late July 2007. The program will end mid-June 2008.

Q

What is the difference between a Team Leader and a Service Leader?

A

Team Leaders supervise and guide a team of Service Leaders at a particular school. Team Leaders have the additional responsibilities of synthesizing the team's goals and objectives, leading project planning, completing monthly reports, serving as the primary liaison between Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps and the school's faculty and administration, attending Team Leader meetings at the Hands On Atlanta office every other Friday, managing the after-school enrichment program, and mediating any conflicts that may arise. Team Leaders must be at least 22 years old and have previous leadership experience.

Q

Is there an upper age limit?

A

No. Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps is an intergenerational corps.

Q

How many positions are available?

A

35 Team Leader positions and 140 Service Leader positions are available.

Q

Will Hands On Atlanta provide housing?

A

No. This is not a residential program. Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members are responsible for finding their own housing. Hands On Atlanta will assist by providing information on housing options that may work with the AmeriCorps member budget and providing a list of potential roommates within the Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps program.

Q

What are the benefits?

A

Team Leaders receive $320/week and Service Leaders receive $270/week as a living stipend. All Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members receive basic health insurance, child care benefits if eligible, loan forbearance for any federal student loans, and a $4,725 education award at the completion of the term of service to pursue additional education or to pay back federal student loans. Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members also receive valuable training in leadership, communication, urban education issues, grassroots organizing, volunteer management and coalition-building.

Q

Do Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members receive any training?

A

The first week of the program is dedicated to training all Service Leaders on the skills and procedures needed to be an effective Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps member. Team Leaders receive an additional week of training before the Service Leader training. On-going training is a significant component of the program. Every Friday, the entire corps meets at Hands On Atlanta for training from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The trainings focus on topics such as volunteer management, classroom management, how to conduct an after-school enrichment program, how to involve parents in school activities, how to handle student behavior problems, etc.

Q

What is a living stipend?

A

A living stipend is money you receive to aid with your living expenses. Living stipends are paid bi-weekly and are subject to all federal and state taxes.

Q

What is loan forebearance?

A

Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members may defer payment of federal student loans during their term of service. Interest is still applied to the loan, but members can submit an interest accrual form at the end of their term of service and the federal AmeriCorps program will pay all interest accrued during the term of service. This amount is subject to state and federal taxes.

Q

Do Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps receive sick leave or personal days?

A

Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members may request up to 41.25 hours leave before the winter break and up to 41.25 hours leave after the winter break for illness or personal reasons. However, members are responsible for making those hours up to complete the entire 1,700 service hour requirement by participating in additional Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps activities.

Q

Do members receive any paid holidays?

A

Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members receive two breaks that coincide with the school system's breaks—winter break and spring break. All AmeriCorps members will receive half of the weekly Service Leader stipend during these breaks.

Q

Is childcare provided?

A

Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members are responsible for finding their own childcare provider. Members may submit paperwork to determine if they are eligible for reimbursement for childcare expenses. If eligible, reimbursement will be sent directly to the childcare provider.

Q

How extensive is the health insurance?

A

Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps receive basic health insurance at no charge. It covers only the AmeriCorps members—not spouses, children or other dependents. Coverage ends at the end of the term of service.

Q

How many hours are required in order for me to complete the program?

A

Each Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps member must complete 1,700 hours of service to graduate from the program. Members earn approximately 41.5 hours each week through scheduled activities such as tutoring and mentoring students, serving as classroom assistants and facilitating a tuition-free after-school program. Members earn an additional four hours each month at their discretion organizing service projects and performing community outreach. By participating in the program full-time for 10 months, most Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members complete their service hour requirement without difficulty.

Q

What ages of students do Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members work with?

A

Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps teams serve in elementary, middle and high schools. Each member is assigned to a team at one particular school for the entire school year, but also will have the opportunity to work with students of different ages and from other schools during special events, individual service projects, student leadership conferences and other activities.

Q

How are members assigned to schools?

A

School assignment is based on members' past work experience and grade level preference. The final decision is made by Hands On Atlanta staff who attempt to make the best match for the individual AmeriCorps member, the AmeriCorps team and the school. Members will be assigned to a school about 2-3 weeks after the program start date.

Q

Can I interview without my recommendation forms?

A

No. Each applicant's application must be complete before an interview can be scheduled. This includes the application itself, essays and both recommendations.

Q

How long after the interview will I know if I have been accepted or not?

A

You will receive a letter indicating that you have been accepted, declined or added to the waiting list 2-3 weeks after your interview.

Q

How is AmeriCorps funded?

A

Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps is funded through a grant from the Corporation for National Service as well as private donations from corporations, foundations and individuals.

Q

I don't think I can participate in the Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps program. Can you tell me about other AmeriCorps programs?

A

Q

Will AmeriCorps members have an opportunity to serve in high schools?   

A

In 2007-08, Hands On Atlanta will not place members in teams in APS high schools. However, AmeriCorps members will certainly have an opportunity to work with high school students through agency-wide youth service events and initiatives, cross-age tutoring programs in some elementary and middle schools and Hands On Atlanta sponsored leadership development workshops for teens.

• Back to the main Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps page.
• Learn about the positions available within Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps.
• Read about the experiences of Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps Service Leaders and Team Leaders.
• For more information about the Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps program, call 404-979-2803 or e-mail AmeriCorps@HandsOnAtlanta.org.