For immediate release: March 26, 2012

BLOOMSBURG — Bloomsburg University recently was awarded part-time AmeriCorps positions for the 2012-13 academic year, enabling 10 students to earn scholarship money while performing community service.

AmeriCorps, a program of the federal agency, the Corporation for National and Community Service, supports more than 50,000 people each year who make significant service commitments. In Pennsylvania, many college students enroll in AmeriCorps through the Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania program.

Students involved in the program complete either 300 hours or 450 hours of service in one year and receive an education award from the Corporation for National and Community Service of $1,175 or $1,468, respectively. They also receive leadership training and help recruit additional volunteers.

As many as 10 students at Bloomsburg University will be eligible for these awards for 2012-13, pending federal appropriation.

Jean Downing, director of BU’s SOLVE volunteer office, said, “We look forward to another great year with Service Scholars assisting non-profits and schools in our community. Since the program began at BU in 2004, scholars have served at the Mental Health Association, Bloomsburg YMCA, Children’s Museum and the Bloomsburg Food Cupboard, to name a few sites.”

Bloomsburg University will recruit students for next year’s program through the end of the spring semester. “We’re looking for students with a passion for service,” Downing said, “and will assist with community placements.”

Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania is administered by the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND) and is monitored by PennSERVE: the Governor’s Office of Citizen Service. AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. BU serves approximately 10,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.