Commonly known as the “domestic Peace Corps,” AmeriCorps is a national service program governed by a federal agency – the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) – and administered in Michigan by the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC). AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects Americans in intensive service to meet our country’s critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment. AmeriCorps members serve with nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based and community organizations. Since 1994, AmeriCorps State members have provided needed assistance to millions of Americans across the nation.

The Power of We Consortium AmeriCorps State Program places AmeriCorps members throughout Ingham County to increase food security and reduce chronic disease in residents by focusing on two project goals:

1. Increase consumption of healthy foods and reduce food insecurity with gardening, food distribution and referrals.
2. Teach community members the importance of eating healthy foods and strategies to adopt better diets.

AmeriCorps VISTA, or Volunteers in Service to America, is a national service program that was designed to eliminate poverty through capacity building in American communities. The VISTA program, created in 1965 and conceived by President John F. Kennedy, was formally incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993 and now governed by a federal agency – the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).

The Power of We Consortium AmeriCorps VISTA Program began in 2006 and has placed VISTA members at multiple host sites, or sub-sites, at area non-profits, public agencies, and faith and community–based organizations. The VISTA members commit to one year of full-time service in InghamCounty in the areas of education and economic opportunity. They have the unique charge of building their host site’s organizational , administrative and financial capacity. To view The Power of We Consortium current Americorps VISTA team, visit the AmeriCorps VISTA Sites page.