Are You Up for the Challenge ?	AmeriCorps provides the opportunity to put idealism to work. In AmeriCorps members learn teamwork, communication, responsibility and other essential skills that help them be successful throughout their lives. Members also gain the personal satisfaction of taking on a challenge and seeing results.  Over 10,000 Illinois residents have answered the challenge.  Are you up to it?
Application Form and Instructions The VOCAL program is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service through the Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.     If you are interested in submitting an application to be an AmeriCorps member, complete the downloaded application from our site or click on the AmeriCorps icon below to go to their website to submit an application along with two references electronically.  Completed applications along with two references can be mailed, faxed or personally brought in to LV-Illinois offices at 30 East Adams St., Suite 1130, Chicago, IL  60603.  312/857-1586 (fax)       Position Description  AmeriCorps Application       AmeriCorps Website	The VOCAL AmeriCorps Program The central goal of the VOCAL - Volunteer Outreach for Community Action in Literacy - program is to expand the volunteer base of community and faith-based adult literacy programs by recruiting, placing and training AmeriCorps members to serve as Volunteer Literacy Specialists in adult literacy programs throughout the state.  As Literacy Specialists, AmeriCorps members serve as one-to-one and small group tutors, are involved with volunteer recruitment and retention activities and help to secure other resources for their host site, including books, program materials, and "give -away" items for tutor and student celebrations.  Members are also involved in special events to generate awareness of and support for the literacy activities of the agency.
Benefits Along with the satisfaction of making a difference in someone's life and gaining personal experiences that will never be forgotten, members also receive the following benefits:   Full-Time Member - 1700 hours Bi-weekly living allowance based on $11,400 a year  Health insurance and (income-based) child care Student Loan Deferment & Interest Accrual Waiver Initial, in-service and hands-on "job" training Post service educational award of $4,725.00	Take a look at our monthly newsletter to get a closer view of 2008- 2009 members and activities: November
Part-Time Member - 900 hours  Bi-weekly living allowance based on $5,770 a year  Student Loan Deferment & Interest Accrual Waiver Initial, in-service and hands-on "job" training Post service educational award of $2,362.50
Minimum-Time Member- 300 hours Student Loan Deferment & Interest Accrual Waiver Initial, in-service and hands-on "job" training Post service educational award of $1,000.00
Host Sites If you are an agency that is interested in hosting a member for the coming year, click here for an application.  Renewal agencies click here.   Call for Host Sites click here.