Americorps?

[rudy2012]

Not sure if this is the right thread, but I saw people posting on TFA here, so thought why not. I am quitting my job and my husband and I (just got married) are going to travel for about 2 months. When we get back, I was looking into doing Americorps for that year before applying to grad schools (getting back around end of Oct '12). I was wondering if there are any Americorps programs with flexible start dates, and ones where you can choose your own housing (I'm not going to leave spouse to live on a campus). Normally I would, but being married complicates things for my availability to do certain stuff like this, it would be easier if it was just me, but I need to take him into account as well...Any suggestions? Is there something like Americorps that's more flexible? Or should I just look for work at a nonprofit/NGO? From what I am seeing on the Americorps website, they all start on a specific date and/or you have to leave your own living arrangements. Thanks!

[sherpa07]

Look into Americorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America). You can live at home with VISTA and you don't have to travel or move around. You won't make much money (stipend is set at 110% of the federal poverty level..), but it will give you some experience for grad school. Also, VISTA start dates come a few times each year - for my program, they start in February, April and September. Not sure if that's set nationally, but maybe you could find a program that began in October. Good luck!

[OregonGal]

Most Americorps programs don't have a specific housing arrangement--however, if you're applying to one outside of your local area, of course you'll have to move.

The issue with answering your question more fully is that there are a vast variety of Americorps programs with varying start and end dates, qualifications, goals, etc. My program was structured around a September start/August end date, but others start at different times. The stipend also varies a slight bit from program to program, but for most it's a locality-adjusted stipend pegged around (or possibly below) minimum wage.