ELKINS — The Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area is now hiring AmeriCorps members for its new “Summer of Service” program and its regular 2023-24 service year.

The Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area consists of 16 counties in West Virginia — including Randolph, Barbour, Tucker, Grant, Hardy, Pendleton and Pocahontas counties — and two in western Maryland.

AFNHA AmeriCorps service allows an individual to benefit local communities and landscapes while gaining professional skills and experience, and earn money to pay for school or student loans. The new Summer of Service program is open to anyone at least 17 years of age and will host four to eight AmeriCorps Members for projects supporting various organizations throughout our region for the Summer and early Fall of 2023.

The program start date is June 1, and may run through October 2023. Member terms will be for a minimum of 12 weeks from the actual start date of the member. Typical projects are expected to be those that support historic preservation, conservation, heritage, and community development.

“Our Summer of Service program is perfect for people who are interested in the AmeriCorps experience or looking for a summer job who normally wouldn’t be able to commit to a full year of service,” said Chrissy Hall, AFNHA’s AmeriCorps Program Manager.

Summer of Service members will receive a living stipend paid semi-monthly for a total of $4,126 over the term of service, and will qualify for a $1,718 Segal Education Award upon successful completion of the service term.

For the 2023-24 program year, full-time members will receive a living allowance stipend of $20,000 gross for the year, payable in 24 (taxable) semi-monthly installments. Workers Comp will be provided, and we will help support health insurance as needed.

A child care subsidy can be available for qualified candidates. Many members may qualify for SNAP benefits to help with food expenses, and as an AmeriCorps member you may qualify for WV Medicaid. You will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $6, 895 at the successful completion of your 1700 hour term of service.

The award can be used for most college tuition, technical or vocational education, or repayment of qualified student loans. Existing qualified student loans can be deferred during your AmeriCorps service with loan interest paid for the deferment period. The new WV Tuition Waiver is also available for members who complete at least 600 hours of service.

Please visit https://www.appalachianforestnha.org/become-an-americorps for more information on how to apply, or contact Chrissy Hall, AmeriCorps Program Manager at chrissyh@afnha.org.

The Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area conserves, interprets, and promotes forest heritage to enhance landscapes and communities in the highlands of West Virginia and Maryland. AFNHA works with partners to accomplish this through community development, conservation, celebrating cultural heritage, and creating opportunities for transformational experiences.

To learn more about the work of the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area, go online to www.appalachianforestnha.org, or email to volunteer@afnha.org for more information.