FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov 07, 2023

Michael D. Smith joined AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteering in Pennsylvania, Arkansas and Maryland

WASHINGTON, DC—AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith celebrated and rallied AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in three different states in October. Smith honored volunteers and service leaders who are making a difference from Pennsylvania to Arkansas.

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, Smith joined Comcast’s Project UP Summit and participated in a fireside chat with Venya Beacom, co-founder and vice president of Civic Ventures. Project UP is Comcast’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.

On Wednesday, Oct. 25, Smith toured Our House. This organization empowers unhoused and near-houseless families and individuals to succeed in the workforce, at school, and in life through hard work, wise decision-making, and active participation in the community. At Our House, Smith participated in a roundtable with AmeriCorps members who serve residents.

On Thursday, Oct. 26, Smith gave opening remarks at President Bill Clinton’s AmeriCorps: Thirty Years Forward summit at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Ark. The Summit featured a series of conversations that explored the impact AmeriCorps has had over the last 30 years and charted a path for expanding opportunities to serve and strengthen the AmeriCorps program to meet the needs of the current and future generations.

“As we’ve seen over the past 30 years, every single time America called, AmeriCorps answered,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps. “And as we look ahead to the next 30 years, it’s on all of us to remain steadfast in our commitment to create meaningful service opportunities that bring people together, train the next generation of workers, and address America’s most pressing needs.”

On Friday, Oct. 27, Smith joined Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s launch of the Service Year Option. The Service Year Option is a service opportunity for young adults who recently completed high school. Members earn at least $15 an hour and work at least 30 hours a week. The first cohort of 200 Service Year Option members joined the launch and they will be serving at nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies, public agencies, and schools that cover the education, health, public safety, climate, conservation, public service, historic trades, and information technology sectors. 

“Service brings Americans together to strengthen communities and transform lives,” said Smith. “Every day, thousands of Maryland AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers show up for their neighbors in need. Governor Moore’s visionary leadership will usher in a new era of community and national service impact in Maryland and inspire other states to deepen and expand their commitments.”

Follow AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith on X, formerly known as Twitter, and stay up-to-date with agency updates on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn for additional highlights from Smith’s trips.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/serve.