AMES, Iowa – Executive Director of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service Adam Lounsbury believes in volunteering and is a strong proponent for the AmeriCorps program.

“It’s often referred to as the domestic Peace Corps,” Lounsbury said. “It’s a national service program where someone can dedicate a year of their life to service here in their own community or somewhere else in the United States.

The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service connects Iowans to volunteer opportunities, he said. “We oversee the AmeriCorps program for Iowa, and we have over 1,000 AmeriCorps positions in the state right now.”

Thanks to economic stimulus funds, the commission will be adding an additional 300 to 1,000 AmeriCorps positions this year, he added. The number of state agencies and nonprofit and local organizations interested in AmeriCorps is increasing as well.

“There definitely seems to be a lot more interest when the economy is rougher,” Lounsbury said.

AmeriCorps members are to “further the public good,” Lounsbury explained. “In Iowa about half of our programs work with youth — after school programs, mentoring programs, tutoring.”

But AmeriCorps members also work with domestic abuse shelters, weatherize homes, build and maintain trails and provide environmental education.

“Our number one focus right now across the state is disaster recovery. We’ve had more than 600 AmeriCorps members who have been active since the tornado hit in Parkersburg and are still going strong,” Lounsbury said.

“If you’re a traditional volunteer going into Cedar Rapids, Parkersburg or Oakville, you’re likely going through a volunteer reception center that is run by AmeriCorps members.” 

AmeriCorps members have been leading teams of volunteers and mucking out houses, are now are assisting with rebuilding, Lounsbury said. “This summer we expect to have 500 AmeriCorps members who are going to be working across the Cedar Rapids and Oakville areas.”

In addition, Habitat for Humanity is expected to bring 500 AmeriCorps members from across the country to Iowa for a 20-house build-a-thon June 14-21.

Traditional volunteers who want to volunteer for a weekend or those interested in volunteering for a longer term with AmeriCorps can contact the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service online at volunteeriowa.org  or call toll free, (800) 308-5987.

Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development hosts the Iowa AmeriCorps State of Promise program in collaboration with Iowa’s Promise and the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service. These AmeriCorps members serve with youth development programs in communities across the state.

“The program encourages people to be involved and helps them accomplish things for their communities,” said Judy McCarthy, ISU Extension’s director for the program. “AmeriCorps members help solve problems, bring communities together and set an example of caring and community spirit that America needs.”

AmeriCorps Week is May 9-16. Learn more at http://www.americorpsweek.gov/.

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Get more information about Iowa AmeriCorps State of Promise.

Listen to an interview with Adam Lounsbury.