What is AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps is a national service program that provides thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds with educational awards in exchange for a year or two of community service. AmeriCorps members help meet the nation's critical needs in the areas of public safety, education, human needs, and the environment. It was created in 1993 with bi-partisan support by Congress, the President, and community groups nationwide. Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte utilizes AmeriCorps members from the AmeriCorps National Direct program and the AmeriCorps VISTA program.

Check out our AmeriCorps Housing Info, AmeriCorps Photos & our Ask an AmeriCorps Page

What's the mission of Habitat Charlotte AmeriCorps members?

• To get things done by building and renovating houses with low-income families
• To strengthen communities by enabling the affiliates to utilize more volunteers more effectively, bringing together diverse partners in a common cause
• To develop skills in construction and leadership by serving as crew leaders on a daily basis
• To develop a sense of citizenship through service, reflection and the inspiration gained by working alongside hundreds of volunteers

What do National Direct AmeriCorps members do in Charlotte?

National Direct AmeriCorps members perform direct service and help utilzie volunteers effectively. We receive AmeriCorps members through Habitat for Humanity International.    Most members help in construction - building and renovating homes and leading volunteers.     For 2011-2012 we will have no AmeriCorps VISTA members.  

Benefits of the AmeriCorps program?

• Skills for the future
• Living allowance of $12,100 paid over 46 ½ weeks (National Direct) or over a year (VISTA)
• Health insurance and workers compensation insurance (or equivalent)
• Child care, if eligible
• Education award of $5,500. The education awards are paid as vouchers by the National Service Trust, and may be redeemed within seven years to pay for current education costs at qualified colleges, universities, other post-secondary institutions and approved school-to-work programs, or to pay back qualified student loans already incurred. 
• Forbearance of qualified student loans and payment of interest that accrues during the term of service
• Habitat Charlotte also provides the possibility of low-cost housing.  

What are we looking for in an AmeriCorps member?

We  always have more applications than positions, so the process can be somewhat competitive.  Strong candidates will possess several of the following characteristics.

• A sincere desire to serve combined with an understanding of why one wishes to serve
• Past history of service participation with Habitat or other  non-profits
• Leadership experience and ability
• Good communication skills
• Ability and interest in working with a team
• Patience and flexibility
• For construciton positions - construciton experience or expereince that required significant time spent outdoors

For office positions - experience with Microsoft Office programs, excellent written and oral communication skills.

We recommend that you highlight these attributes in your cover letter and interview.


How do I apply?

We will be begin accepting cover letters and resumes in February 2011 for the Septemer 2011 - July 2012 program year. Send your cover letter and resume to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to be considered for the program. Interviewing begins in April.

Phone interviews are conducted for applicants residing outside of Charlotte. Final acceptance into the program is subject to a background check and a potential phone interview with Habitat International.

Please accept our apologies if the americorps.gov or habitat.org websites imply that we have current positions available prior to a September start.  Our affiliate is experiencing difficulty receiving applications through the americorps.org and the habitat.org web sites. Therefore, we encourage you to reach out directly  to any AmeriCorps program you have interest in, not assuming they have received your information through other channels.