AMERICORPS TO SWEAR IN 100 MEMBERS ON THURSDAY IN DOVER

Dover -

Lt. Gov. Matt Denn will swear in 100 AmeriCorps members at a Thursday, Oct. 13, ceremony in Legislative Hall. The volunteers will serve at various Delaware agencies and nonprofit during 2011-2012.

The locations that this year's members will serve include the state Department of Economic Development Office, Habitat for Humanity, YMCA Emergency Services Corps, the Ministry of Caring, Public Allies and AmeriCorps Vista.

"For young people looking for a way to give back to Delaware, AmeriCorps offers them a valuable learning experience while, at the same time, they work to strengthen our communities," Lt. Gov. Matt Denn said.

In exchange for a year of service in Delaware (1,700 hours), members 17 and older receive:

• Valuable work experience in their chosen field.
• $5,350 to pay for college, graduate school or to pay back student loans.
• Health coverage and loan deferment while in service.
• In some cases, a living allowance of a minimum of $12,100.
• The opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and travel.

AmeriCorps was created in 1994 under President Bill Clinton. Working through service commissions in each state, it matches a member's interest to the area in which they would like to volunteer, meeting critical community needs in social services, the environment, emergency preparedness and education. Each year, more than 85,000 people join AmeriCorps, with more than 500,000 members serving 1994.

Thursday's ceremony in the Senate Chambers of Legislative Hall will begin at 8:30 a.m. with arrival and networking, followed by the program beginning at 9:30 a.m. with welcoming remarks, the swearing-in and a keynote address.

For more information about AmeriCorps in Delaware, visit an individual agency, go to www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dssc/sov/americorp.html, or contact AmeriCorps Delaware at (302) 255-9883.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.