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Ross McGinnis video
Click here

  

Memorial Service Award Endowment Fund

Service Award Applications are ongoing. Click here to download application.

Deadline for the 2009 application is November 9th.

To view official PFC Ross McGinnis Medal of Honor Site, Click here

 


On May 13, 2008, Keystone SMILES proudly established the Michael Andrew Renfrew Memorial Preschool Scholarship. 
 Michael was the 4-year old son of Randall and Lisa Renfrew, a Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps Alumni. Michael was killed in a tragic accident on the family farm on April 1, 2001. The fund will be used to annually award scholarships to preschool students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend a preschool program. Click here for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

AmeriCorps is...

The national service movement that engages thousands of men and women of all ages and backgrounds in a domestic Peace Corps, aimed at meeting the needs in the areas of ... Education, Public Safety, Environment, and Human Services.

AmeriCorps is much more than a service program.  It is a movement that unites Americans to improve our neighborhoods and our lives.  In communities large and small throughout America,  AmeriCorps Members are taking responsibility, learning valuable skills, and helping their friends and neighbors. AmeriCorps is part of a tradition of service, and it represents America at its best - making a lasting difference while promoting the values of community, responsibility, and opportunity.

 

AmeriCorps Members help meet the nation's critical needs in the areas of public safety, education, human needs, and the environment.  In Pennsylvania, AmeriCorps State Programs are administered by PennSERVE, The Governor's Office of Citizen Service.

 

  • Resources for Full Year Applicants
     

    Applications should be submitted no later than August 1, 2010 to be considered for the 2010-2011 AmeriCorps Term of Service - Application Deadline extended until positions have been filled.

     

    Applicants must attend one of the following information sessions…

    July 22nd at East High School Auditorium, Erie, PA at 6pm

    July 26nd at 420 Main Street, Knox, PA at 6pm

    July 27nd at 67 Euclid St, Sharon, PA at 6pm (returning applicants (5pm)

     

     

  • Click here to go to the AmeriCorps.gov web site and apply through the National Recruitment System
  • Full Year Application Packet (Full Time, Part Time, Quarter Time or Minimum Time)
  • Fingerprint registration form for FBI Clearance (included in application packet)
  • Download the AmeriCorps Recruitment brochure for 2010-2011 program year
  • Recruitment Presentation

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    Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps Members Must:

     

    ·        Be at least 17 yrs. of age

    ·        Submit application and 2 references, enrollment paperwork along with proof of age, citizenship, education and identity.

    ·        Attend a 4 day and 3 night pre-service orientation which will be held from August 23-26th at the McKeever

             Environmental Center in Sandy Lake, PA

    ·        Attend  monthly member development sessions

    ·        Participate in SMILES member development program, including an online service-learning training, Community Emergency Response Team
             training

    ·        Obtain a high school diploma or GED before the end of their term

    ·        Have both a criminal record check, FBI, sex offender and a child abuse clearance

    ·        Make commitment to fulfilling a minimum number of hours

    ·        Complete data collection reports

    ·        Believe in “Getting Things Done!”

     

     

     

    2009-2010 SMILES AmeriCorps Members receive:

  • The satisfaction of finding a way to put idealism into action
  • Real-life education and work experience all in one
  • Training in - teamwork, communication, responsibility, First Aid, CPR, CERT, Disaster Preparedness, Service Learning (Online Course through Clarion University) and many other life skills.
  • A living allowance:
    $12,100 - Full-time members
    $6,400 - Half-time members
    $3,350 - Quarter time/summer members
  • An education award to help pay for college, graduate school, or vocational training
    $4,725 - Full-time members
    $2,363.50 - Half-time members
    $1,250 - Quarter time / Summer members
  • Student loan forbearance during term of service; interest accrued during service term paid upon successful completion
  • Full time members receive individual health insurance if not already covered by another policy.
  • Full time members received child care assistance - if income eligible (follows minimum PA State requirements)


    • Necessary forms to begin the application process

  • Complete Application Packet with References  and Clearance Applications (If selected, clearance application will be submitted and paid for by Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps. Please Note: If members have CURRENT clearances (received at the time of submitting application) they may be submitted instead of clearance applications.)
  • FBI Clearance

    Accepted Applicants cannot earn a living allowance or begin serving in their program until the following items are submitted for their member file. 

     

    · Proof of Identity: Driver’s license / PA State ID card

    · Social Security Card

    · Proof of citizenship: Birth Certificate - A  standard U.S. birth certificate issued by a state government is your primary proof of U.S. citizenship. (Birth certificates issued by hospitals are not official records and do not serve as proof of citizenship.)  Other documents accepted for citizenship are a U.S. Passports , Certificates of Citizenship or a Consular Registration of Birth Abroad

    · Proof of Education (High School Diploma, College ID, Transcripts)

     

  • How does the application process work

    The program consists of two components. First, one must explore and understand the AmeriCorps program. This program is administered by Keystone SMILES, which is a nonprofit organization responsible for the implementation of the AmeriCorps federal grant program. All potential members must understand the AmeriCorps program requirements and design.

    The initial application to be an AmeriCorps member is required to be submitted to Keystone SMILES through a paper application accessible at the top of this page or through the online recruitment system on the AmeriCorps website. Upon receipt of your application, interviews will be scheduled by the host site you are interested in serving. Keystone SMILES personnel will meet with all applicants to be sure the the applicant understands the AmeriCorps requirements for enrollment. The host site makes the final selection of members through personal interviews scheduled at their convenience. Selected applicants must attend an 4 day 3 night pre-service orientation before they are officially considered a member of Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps.
     

    The applicants will be notified via their host sites and/or Keystone SMILES through an acceptance packet. The acceptance packet must be completed in full and all required documentation submitted before the member is consider active in the program.

     

    Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps Members serve in many school districts and community organizations: 2010-2011 sites include:

     

    School districts include:

    - Commodore Perry School District, New Castle, PA

    - Cray Youth and Family Services, New Castle, PA

    - DuBois Area School District, DuBois, PA

    - Erie School District, Erie, PA

    - Fairview School District, Fairview, PA

    - Grove City School District, Grove City, PA

    - Highland School District, Natrona Heights, PA

    - Jamestown School District, Jamestown, PA

    - Keystone School District, Knox, PA

    - Laurel School District, New Castle, PA

    - Mercer County Housing Authority, Sharon, PA

    - North Clarion School District, Tionesta, PA

    - Punxsutawney Area School District, Punxsutawney, PA

    - Reynolds School District, Reynolds, PA

    - Shaler Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA

    - Sharpsville School District, Sharpsville, PA

    - Union School District, New Castle, PA

    - West Middlesex School District, West Middlesex, PA

    1.  Community Based (Members serve in a variety of programs providing educational and social/behavioral support to children of all ages.)

    Community Programs Include:

    - Boys and Girls Club Along the Allegheny, Emlenton, PA

    - Bridge Builders Community Foundation, Oil City, PA

    - Keystone SMILES Alternative Education, Knox, PA

    - Keystone SMILES Community Projects , Knox, PA

    - Keystone SMILES Preschool, Knox, PA

    - Kids Count, Butler, PA

    - Mercer County Housing Authority, Sharon, PA

    - Next Generation, Beaver Falls, PA

    - Oil City Salvation Army, Oil City, PA

    - Oil City YMCA, Oil City, PA

    - Sharpsville Gardens Community Learning Center, Sharpsville, PA

    - Venango Literacy Council, Oil City, PA

     

    		  
       

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