Posted by BEN BEAUMONT – On the 15th anniversary of AmeriCorps, Shirley Sagawa examines how far the program has come, and the opportunities for expanding national service:
Fifteen years ago today, President Bill Clinton signed legislation creating the AmeriCorps program. He observed that day that no government program could solve all our problems, but “the American people, if organized and directed and challenged and asked would find a way.” He saw “even in the most difficult circumstances the light in the eyes of so many young people, the courage, the hunger for life, the desire to do something to reach beyond themselves.” AmeriCorps, he believed, could be a means to leverage that idealism and direct it at key challenges facing the country.
The Clinton School has seen the benefit of AmeriCorps firsthand, as many of our students are former Corps members. CLICK HERE to read more from the Center for American Progress.