Utah ranks No. 5 in producing AmeriCorps members


4 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah produces the fifth-highest number of volunteers for AmeriCorps, with the majority of them being college and university students.

"They're serving all over the state," said Amy Wiscombe, AmeriCorps program manager for Utah Campus Compact, which coordinates 919 student volunteers and dozens of project sites throughout Utah.

"If there's one thing I've learned, it is that you succeed most when you help others succeed," said Luis Armenta, a 24-year-old AmeriCorps member at Utah State University. He's not a stranger to service, as he has always been involved in student government and other activities, as well as with his church, but he agrees, it is all very rewarding.

Armenta, originally from South Jordan, works as a mentor to young students, helping them study school subjects and gain social skills. He said he likes seeing how much each student improves through the program.

"They look at us mentors like we're their heroes," Armenta said. "It's opened my eyes to the fact that everyone comes from different backgrounds and you can totally make an impact on people's lives, especially when they are at a young age."

Students like Armenta commit to serving a minimum of 300 hours but can work up to 900 in a year in exchange for an "education award," or scholarship, that can go toward paying tuition or student loans.

There are 1,617 AmeriCorps members serving in Utah, though the state has produced 15,000 members since the federally supported civil society program began in 1994.

This year, Utah moved up three spots in the rankings, appearing as the fifth-highest member-producing state in the country, according to new data released this month from the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers the AmeriCorps program. Only the District of Columbia, Minnesota, West Virginia and Vermont produce more volunteers for the program each year.

The same agency ranked Utah No. 1 in volunteerism and civic engagement for the past 10 years in December, with about 46 percent of Utahns volunteering in some way and 68 percent reportedly giving at least $25 to charity, according to census data.

Volunteers with AmeriCorps work within rural and urban communities throughout the country to meet critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, health and homeland security. In Utah, they fulfill a variety of important services, the Corporation for National and Community Service notes.

Top AmeriCorp members per capita (Photo: Joseph Tolman)
Top AmeriCorp members per capita (Photo: Joseph Tolman)

"AmeriCorps members make a powerful impact on the toughest challenges facing our nation," said Wendy Spencer, CEO at the Corporation for National and Community Service. "Building on Utah's strong tradition of neighbor helping neighbor, AmeriCorps members from the Beehive State will improve lives and strengthen communities across the nation."

In addition to the Campus Compact, which coordinates the largest number of AmeriCorps members in Utah, others serve through various organizations, including the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs of Utah, Utah Conservation Corps, Read.Graduate.Succeed, BYU's Family, Home and Social Sciences program, Utah Healthcare Corps, Salt Lake County's Most Vulnerable Populations Operation, Playworks and Canyon Country Youth Corps.

Utah Americorps members (Photo: Mary Archbold)
Utah Americorps members (Photo: Mary Archbold)

"It's great that our community is willing to come together to provide service and make an impact on the communities that need it most in our state," Wiscombe said, adding that some of the services provided by volunteers, including longer hours at certain facilities, wouldn't be possible without them.

Armenta said that because he came from a "rough background," getting an education became a necessity. The added financial assistance provided by AmeriCorps has helped make it happen.

"No matter where you go, you will enjoy it much more if you take every opportunity to get involved and get everything you can out of every minute," he said.

For more information on AmeriCorps programs or other opportunities to serve in Utah, visit heritage.utah.gov/userveutah. Email: wleonard@deseretnews.com Twitter: wendyleonards

Photos

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

Utah
Wendy Leonard

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast