Think Progress. Think Tomorrow. Think GRADD.
AmeriCorps Program
To apply for the AmeriCorps program, please download the application or go online to: http://www.americorps.govKentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service (KCCVS) website, information on Kentucky programs: www.volunteerky.ky.gov
AmeriCorps Senior Connections started at GRADD in 1997.
Our mission is to provide direct services and counseling to seniors to improve their quality of life and to enable them to live independently in their own homes.
Members help prepare and deliver meals-on-wheels and congregate meals, provide telephone reassurance, friendly visits (including chores and caregiver relief), locate programs for reduced or free prescription medications, educate seniors on changing Medicare benefits, minor home repairs, and assist with finding employment.
Senior Connections was awarded a three-year federal competitive grant by the Corporation for National Community Service (CNCS). This program has slots for 30 AmeriCorps members. The service year starts September 1 and goes through August 31. Service sites for Senior Connections include:
- Senior Citizen Centers
- Adult Day Care
- Senior Living Facilities
- GRADD (prescription assistance and benefits counseling program)
- Hospice organizations
- Career Centers
- American Red Cross
Senior Connections has been recognized as one of the 51 Most innovative AmeriCorps programs in the U.S.
The Homeland Security Corps program started at GRADD in 2002.
Our mission is to increase the capacity of disaster preparedness agencies, to recruit and train community volunteers to be activated in the event of a disaster and to educate the public on disaster preparedness issues.
Homeland Security Corps was awarded a grant by the Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service (KCCVS) for 20 AmeriCorps member slots. The service year starts March 1 and goes through February 28.
Members train with their agency and participate in table-top and live exercises. Members recruit and train community volunteers for Citizen Corps programs including:
- Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
- Medical Reserve Corps
- Neighborhood Watch Programs
- Fire Corps
- Volunteers in Police Service
- American Red Cross
- County Emergency Management Agencies
- American Red Cross
- Law Enforcement Agencies
- Fire and Rescue Training Agencies
- Solid Waste Management
- Geographic Information Systems
How the program works:
Qualified host agencies sponsor AmeriCorps members for $4,500 plus in-kind matching funds. Members serve 1,700 hours of community service with an assigned service site
Member Benefits include:
- A minimal living allowance of $11,800 paid out over 24 equal pay periods.
- A $5,350 education award upon the completion of 1,700 hours of service.
- Health insurance is provided at no cost to the member.
- Student loans may be placed in forbearance for the duration of member's service, and the government pays the interest.
- Childcare assistance is available if eligible.
- Training in communication, citizenship, ethics, life skills, disaster response and preparedness, community resources and benefits counseling.
- A member may serve for two years.
For more information contact David Clark, AmeriCorps Program Director, at 270-926-4433 or email at davidclark@gradd.com.