AmeriCorps

I'm trying to stay interested in the state legislature, which has just passed the half way mark in the session, but the session, while still full of potential, is just dragging. Yawn!

But the congress comes up with a surprise every once in a while. The House voted yesterday to increase funding for AmeriCorps, the Clinton-era program that offers volunteer programs such as housing construction, youth outreach, disaster response and elder care. The $5.7 billion bill will triple positions in the program.

In the program people spend 10 months in service. President Obama has made national service a priority and people are listening. Applications to the program have more than tripled recently.

Learn more at americorps.org .

This video explains AmeriCorps, and while it is a year old and focuses on New York, its message rings clear here in Bessemer in 2009. We could use more volunteers in Bessemer.