AmeriCorps Comes To Southeast Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's a corporation for national and community service and this week, it made its home in Baltimore.

Tim Williams has more on the resident campus of AmeriCorps and the undertakings of the group.

It's the opening of a new campus and the beginning of a new chapter. The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps has a new home in southeast Baltimore in the former educational buildings of the Sacred Heart of Mary School.

"The educational buildings and the convent and the rectory will house those young men and women who want to devote their life to service," said Senator Barbara Mikulski.

AmeriCorps is a full-time residential national program in which young adults from 18 to 24 serve 10 month terms. They address national disasters, the environment, conservation, as well as urban and rural development. In exchange, they get credit and vouchers toward paying down educational debt.

"I think it's important that every young man and woman has a chance to serve their country and I was looking for a chance to have some adventure," said AmeriCorps volunteer Tristen Fowler.

"I've traveled through 21 states---serving in 12---assisted on four disaster calls from tornado, fire, flood and hurricane," said another volunteer.

This new center in Dundalk will house 240 volunteers.

"Four hundred and sixty members have given more than 90,000 hours of service since 2009 and that's 90,000 hours spent making Baltimore better, safer and stronger," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

The area is thrilled to have them.

To find out more about AmeriCorps, click here.