Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H Outreach

What is AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps is an opportunity for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve their community and their country through a network of partnerships with local, state and national non-profit organizations. AmeriCorps members address critical needs such as education, health, housing, technology, the environment, economic development and many more! It’s a chance to apply your skills and energy toward helping others and strengthening the organizations that make a positive difference in American’s lives.

What is AmeriCorps 4-H?

The Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H program places members in who provide positive youth development and research-based curriculum in youth-serving organizations across the state. The program is a unique partnership between AmeriCorps, Volunteer Iowa, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach which is operated out of the Iowa 4-H program. Initially established in 2005 as Iowa AmeriCorps State of Promise, the program has grown with the Iowa 4-H host program and youth programming needs across the state.

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Americorps logo.

AmeriCorps 4-H members lead efforts to recruit and mobilize volunteers for a variety of educational activities and programs, coordinate community youth leadership initiatives, develop new partnerships between private organizations and youth-serving programs, and design and develop serving learning projects. Members provide both programmatic leadership and direct service which allow youth to develop valuable life skills and discover their passion. The AmeriCorps members are placed in various programs, organizations, and sites (government, faith-based, non-profits, and community-based) that focus on providing youth programming based on the 4-H youth development principles and practices.  Emphasis is placed on the 4-H priority topics of 1) Healthy Living; 2) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); 3) Citizenship and Leadership; 4) Communications and Arts; 5) Agriculture and Natural Resources.

AmeriCorps 4-H Mission

The mission of the AmeriCorps 4-H program is to offer support and training throughout Iowa to actively engage communities in empowering youth to reach their full potential through youth-adult partnerships and research-based experiences. Throughout the current grant year, AmeriCorps 4-H members address host organization needs using activities and objectives as defined in the program logic model. Our members:

  • Provide structured before and after school programming
  • Develop curriculum and manage youth summer camp experiences
  • Deliver 4-H and youth curriculum to new youth audiences
  • Expand service-learning experiences for youth programs
  • Recruit and manage volunteers to create a sustainable youth program in the community in which they serve

Serving with AmeriCorps 4-H

Members who agree to serve with the AmeriCorps 4-H program gain skills and experiences that lead to a well-rounded, leadership-packed resume, earn a monthly living allowance, and receive a post-secondary education award to finance higher education endeavors or pay toward qualified student loans. Learn more about serving with AmeriCorps 4-H as a member or about our current host site organizations.