MICHIGAN COALITION AGAINST HOMELESSNESS
There are too few hours in the day to accomplish everything needed to achieve the goal of ending homelessness in our state. The goal of Michigan’s Campaign to End Homelessness AmeriCorps program is to help communities become more dynamic partners in the Campaign by increasing capacity through AmeriCorps members serving in shelters, housing resource centers, and other service providers through out the state.
Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness is the grantee and administrator of the program, but members are placed across the state – at least one in each of the 8 regions.
Homeless Housing and Resource Specialists AmeriCorps Members conduct outreach, identify persons in need of housing and link them with appropriate services. Members develop housing resources for homeless populations, and assist homeless individuals or families to identify eligibility for mainstream benefits, such as Social Security or Food Stamps, and assist in program enrollment. Members also build community capital by connecting with business and community leaders to develop Project Homeless Connect events. Working with neighborhood and community leaders AmeriCorps Members educate the public about the need for affordable and supportive housing; they develop relationships with local landlords, to provide the basis for the development of supportive housing.
The Volunteer Coordinator AmeriCorps Member focuses on mobilizing more volunteers across Michigan with the purpose of strengthening the capacity and efficiency of organizations and communities to serve homeless individuals through volunteers. The Volunteer Coordinator acts as the liaison with the remaining members in the field and work closely with the Program Director. Members are also trained by the Volunteer Coordinator in tactics for volunteer recruitment to be involved on the local level within their service sites in recruiting volunteers.
The Volunteer Coordinator works with Project Homeless Connect committees to facilitate the community outreach and organization of the project in a locality.
If you would like to learn more about AmeriCorps programs in Michigan, then go to the Michigan Community Service Commission website.
If you would like to apply for a position as an AmeriCorps member, please go to the AmeriCorps Website.
To learn more about what the AmeriCorps members have been doing in the Campaign to End Homelessness, you can read their blog HERE.
2010 - 2011 Program Application and RFP
