What is Belleville AmeriCorps?
As part of the Corporation for National and Community Service, Belleville AmeriCorps strives to support neighborhood and school efforts to strengthen the community.
To carry out the mission, Belleville AmeriCorps members:
- Increase academic success by tutoring
- Encourage community engagement through youth and adult volunteerism
- Provide positive recreational and enrichment activities for youth during after-school hours and summer months
- Promote computer literacy in children
History
Established in 1995 as a partnership with Franklin Neighborhood Community Association, Belleville School District 118, SWIC and the City of Belleville, Belleville AmeriCorps began as an agent for change. Members were recruited to tutor students, rehabilitate homes, promote neighborhood beautification and convene neighborhood watch groups. Since then, more than 950 members have served more than 550,000 hours. Members have:
- Tutored more than 10,000 Belleville District 118 students
- Tutored and mentored more than 4,000 campers from the Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Henry Raab, Jefferson and 17th Street neighborhoods and Lebanon Kids
- Recruited, trained and supported more than 8,500 volunteers who contributed more than 41,500 hours
Today
Members continue to provide direct service by tutoring and mentoring youth from Belleville District 118 elementary and junior high schools. In addition, members serve as summer camp counselors and volunteer coordinators in Franklin Neighborhood, 17th Street Neighborhood, Harmony Neighborhood and Lebanon Kids, Inc. Members coordinate events such as the recycling program for the District 118 school picnic, the MLK Jr. Walk for Character, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service events, the annual volunteer fair at SWIC and events during 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance and National AmeriCorps week. Members help with the Caring Hearts Food Co-Op, Neighbors for Renewal, Belleville Parks and Recreation events such as Tour de Belleville, West End Redevelopment Corporation and the St. Clair County Greenspace Foundation. Members have adopted a stretch of North Belt West in Belleville and a portion of the Richland Creek Greenway Bike Trail.