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United Way Blog

Help Wanted: Employers Who Hire National Service Volunteers

Looking to hire good people? Look to national service programs like AmeriCorps and Peace Corps, where some of our country’s best and brightest develop essential leadership and problem-solving skills. How to tap into this talented team? Become involved with the Employers of National Service, a federal initiative that promotes recruitment, hiring, and advancement opportunities for job seekers who have served in AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps. United Way is a charter member of the initiative and has joined more than 70 leading employers from the private, public and nonprofit sectors in this effort.  

Like programs that facilitate the hiring of our military veterans, Employers of National Service highlights the talents of AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni and connects them with employers that recognize their unique skills. For United Way, hiring national service alums – passionate, talented people committed to advancing the common good -- aligns perfectly with our mission and values.

Nearly 200 United Ways from across the U.S. host national service members. And we know that many alums who conclude their service go on to work directly for the United Way in their community or elsewhere in our global network. Like five outstanding United Way staff leaders who were nominated for National Leadership Awards.

We presently have Meghan Berka serving as a VISTA member and Crystal Shreve serving as a VISTA Leader coordinating and supporting the work of 31 AmeriCorps VISTAs at United Ways in 18 states.  The VISTAs in the field are working with local United Ways to establish early warning systems in low-performing schools and to use the data to better understand and coordinate community resources and volunteers to help students succeed. Not only are these VISTAs creating positive social change in their communities with great need, they are developing knowledge and skills that will serve them well when their time of formal national service comes to an end.

AmeriCorps alumni have served in communities across the country.  Peace Corps volunteers have made a lasting impact on the communities in 65 countries around the world. United Way honors the commitment of the more than 1.1 million AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni and is proud to have their skills as a part of our team at our headquarters and across the country. The Corporation for National and Community Service, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps Alums, and the Franklin Project are actively seeking new employers from all sectors to join Employers of National Service.

On the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps, President Obama made a great case for hiring national service alumni when he said, “If you’re an employer who wants to hire talented, dedicated, patriotic, skilled, tireless, energetic workers, look to AmeriCorps, look to the Peace Corps… Citizens who perform national service are special.  You want them on your team.” I encourage you to consider national service programs as a source of inspiration, employment and a treasure trove of talented people who want to get things done. Visit www.nationalservice.gov/employers to learn more.