By Shannon Holmes
July 12, 2004

During the Sunday morning plenary session, Charleston (SC) Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. and former Peoria Mayor Richard E. Carver, Chair of the Advisory Board for AmeriCorps* National Community Civilian Corps (NCCC), strongly urged Mayors to become involved with AmeriCorps*NCCC projects in their communities and to encourage the youth of their cities to also become involved in community service.

AmeriCorps*NCCC, a residential, team-based program, offers young people between 18 and 24 the opportunity to serve their country for ten months on projects such as building homes for low-income families, tutoring and mentoring students at inner-city schools, undertaking environmental improvement projects, and assisting in responding to disasters and homeland security challenges. About 1,300 AmeriCorps*NCCC members serve each year at the program's five regional campuses in Charleston (SC), Aurora (CO), Perry Point (MD), Sacramento (CA), and Washington (DC), receiving training in CPR, first aid, leadership, team work and citizenship.

"These young people leave with the experience of working to make a community better," Carver told mayors. "The next generation are wonderful people that will be a bright spot in our communities, they are our future."

Riley stressed the importance that mayors encourage all 18-24 year olds to get involved and engaged in their communities. "This is the best program of the past generation, it is a shame that it [AmeriCorps*NCCC] is not getting attention nation wide. It can make significant impact, make sure your community gets involved."

Since 1994, 10,000 AmeriCorps*NCCC members have been among the more than 300,000 people who have served with AmeriCorps, which engages Americans in intensive service to meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other areas. In return for a year of service, each AmeriCorps member receives a $4,725 education award that can be used to pay back student loans or to cover future tuition for post-secondary education. For more information please visit www.americorps.org/nccc.