Who We Are & What We Do
The Community Cares AmeriCorps program at TCAC is a multi-focus program that strives to address the major, diverse problems faced by those in our communities of poverty and rural areas including seniors, people with disabilities, and disadvantage youth. Our members provide services such as: assistance with independent living, basic food support and distribution, facilitating out-of-school enrichment and engagement support to at-risk youth, and aiding individuals and families suffering from the rise of a temporary crisis, that if not addressed, could result in long-term instability. Our members are building capacity within our partnering service sites are throughout the state, enabling them to better serve those needing public housing authorities, shelters, food banks, and youth-centered organizations.
SERVING SENIOR
&
DISABLED INDIVIDUALS
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
&
NUTRITION EDUCATION
Members tend to multiple seniors and/or individuals with disabilities. While supplying a multitude of independent living services, they also provide them with the companionship they need for social stability.
Members work to educate others on food and food access, run farmers markets, distribute food to those in need, contribute to gardens/ community gardens, and provide supplemental and emergency food to those experiencing crisis and food scarcity.
YOUTH
ENRICHMENT
SERVICES
Members assist youth with homework in afterschool tutoring, individualized reading, and educational programming such as basic computer skills, all while helping them reach obtainable goals. Parents and guardians are included in peer/family social events.
RESOURCES & REFERALS
Members serving here are working to combat temporary crisis and homelessness, assisting their service sites with the intake process, preparation or distribution of food, and implementation of support plans for individuals or families.
CAPACITY BUILDING IN NONPROFITS & PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES
Members serving here aim to develop and support both senior and youth programs within low-income communities. While they may be placed be in a grassroots program to develop, expand, or optimize program, the ultimate goal is ensuring sustainable programs.
AmeriCorps
Gets Things Done
AmeriCorps is the “domestic Peace Corps” where thousands of Americans, both young and young in spirit, are willing to get things done through service in exchange for help financing their higher education or repaying student loan debts. AmeriCorps seeks to harness the energy and idealism of Americans who are dedicated to making their communities — and this country — a better place for all of us to live.
Take a chance, find your spark, and inspire someone to encourage a brighter future, help elderly maintain their lives, serve in the wilderness to conserve our public lands, and rebuild communities after disaster.
Become a Member
The Community Cares AmeriCorps program offers service opportunities throughout the state of Tennessee in a variety of community-based agencies and nonprofit organizations. The program encompasses three types of service contract positions:
Full-Time (1700 hours / 12 months),
Half-Time (900 hours / 8-12 months),and
Minimum-Time (300 hours / 10 weeks)
depending on the availability of service sites and positions offered.
In general, applicants should be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or equivalency, be a citizen or legal resident of the country, and have a passion for serving others, getting things done, and a desire to make an impact in their communities.
How to Become a Member:
Recruitment for our program is primarily handled by service sites; however, if you are interested and have not been recruited directly by a site, please visit my.AmeriCorps.gov and complete an online application.
Follow the instructions there for a more detailed guide when completing the application.
My AmeriCorps Portal https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do
OR
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Contact the Community Cares Team with questions or for more information.
Program Director, Rebecca Grubb rebecca@tcac1.org
Coordinator, Hayley Samples
Benefits to Being a Member:
AmeriCorps members receive:
a living allowance
health care (if applicable)
childcare (if applicable)
Members who have a high school diploma or equivalency are eligible
to receive the
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program, which can be used to apply to a college or university, or to pay off existing loans.
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Childcare:
https://www.americorpschildcare.com/
Education Award:
https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/segal-americorps-education-award
Qualifications for Being a Member:
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Complete background checks with the NSOPW, TBI, and FBI
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Have a high school diploma or equivalency (post-secondary education and/or related work are preferred)
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Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States
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Be drug free and abide by the Drug Free Workplace policy
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Serve in a cooperative, positive, and professional manner program staff, agency staff, volunteers, and community members.
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Abide by the AmeriCorps program and TCAC’s core values.
*AmeriCorps applicants are immediately disqualified if listed on the sex offender registry or convicted of murder.
Applicants are required to disclose full criminal history on the application, failure to disclose this information will automatically disqualify the candidate.
Life After AmeriCorps:
Click to download the full PDF
Life-After-AmeriCorps-Guide-Nov2019-Final_508
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Segal award- CNCS website link- https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/segal-americorps-education-award
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Job resources – https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/alumni/alumni-job-resources
Becoming a Host Site:
We constantly strive to build stronger communities by working together and maintain meaningful relationships with our partner agencies and the communities in which we serve.
​Public Housing Authorities, local
non-profits, and/or faith-based organizations are encouraged to contact our office for more information on involvement with the Community Cares AmeriCorps program.
If you are an organization engages in independent living services for low income individuals with disabilities and adults 55 and older, the preparation/distribution of food, and/or providing youth engagement services to at-risk youth we would love to talk with you about hosting one or more of our members.
Please contact
Rebecca Grubb, Director
for more information.
* Approval of a new service site is dependent upon a variety of factors.
Where We Serve
With over 25 years of experience in administering federal grants, TCAC is proud to partner with national services including AmeriCorps VISTA, Learn and Serve, and AmeriCorps State and National. Throughout that time, we have directly served with public housing authorities, nonprofits, and community-based organizations to help improve the quality of life for Tennesseans in more than 50 counties.
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25 Current Service Partner Locations:
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A Place to Stay
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Boys & Girls Club of Dumplin Valley
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Camp Ba Yo Ca
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Crossville Housing Authority
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East Tennessee State University (ETSU): Access
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East Tennessee State University (ESTU): Bucky's Food Pantry
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East Tennessee State University (ETSU): Service Learning & Field Placement
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Easter Seals
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Edgehill Neighborhood Partnership
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Good Neighbors
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Grow Oak Ridge
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Highlands Residential Services
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Johnson City Housing Authority
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Life Church Ministries
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MATS (Ministerial Association Temporary Shelter)
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Memphis Housing Authority
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Narrow Ridge: Earth Literacy Center
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Nations Ministry Center
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Newport Housing Authority
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Nations Ministry Center
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TAFM (Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets)
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TCAC Depot
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Tennessee Valley Housing Services (Formerly: Morristown Housing Authority)
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Western Heights Baptist Center
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WilCo Events
WHAT MEMBERS SAY
LaTrece Willis
We see the need, and act on it. People are people no matter how big or small, old or young, or the situation they're in. I'm just glad I am in the position to help those who need it.
Lakie Hensley
Stereotypes change, when you're surrounded by people, their stories, their paths of life... My own insecurities went out the window. It's not us (members) making the change, it's the people.
Denise Holt
It is a blessing to do this service! To see residents light up and the joy on their faces make all of this worth it, and gives meaning to 'Getting things done.'
