The Impact of Americorps Service on Volunteer Participants

• Date: 01 November 2002
• Author: Christopher A. Simon,Changhua Wang
• Published date: 01 November 2002
• DOI: 10.1177/009539902237274
• Subject Matter: Articles

ADMINISTRATION & SOCIETY / November 2002Simon, Wang / IMPACT OF AMERICORPS SERVICE

Earlier evaluationsof AmeriCorps have approached the study of program effects in two gen-

eral ways. Cost-benefit studies indicate that in select projectsthe program produces a sub-

stantial net benefit. Qualitative studies conclude that the programhas a substantial impact

on the strengthof communities, provides an influx of social capital, and solves unmet human

needs.The authors’ analysis focuses on the impact of AmeriCorps on the volunteer members.

In a 2-year preservice-postserviceanalysis they found that the members become more active

in community groups. AmeriCorps participation may strengthensocial capital—participa-

tion parallels a significant value shift among participants.

THE IMPACT OF AMERICORPS SERVICE

ON VOLUNTEER PARTICIPANTS

Results From a 2-Year Study

in Four Western States

CHRISTOPHER A. SIMON

University of Nevada

CHANGHUA WANG

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

AmeriCorps has completed nearly 8 years of operation across the coun-

try under the leadership of the Corporation for National Service. Results

of evaluation studies of AmeriCorps programs document what has been

accomplished by AmeriCorps’ members in the four priority areas of their

service: education, environment,public safety, and human needs (Aquirre

International, 1996; Neumann, 1995; Perry, Thompson, Tschirhart,

Mesch, & Lee, 1999; Shumer & Matland, 1995, 1996; Shumer & Rentel,

1997; Wang, Owens, & Kim, 1995). A recent report in the Chronicle of

Higher Education (Selingo, 1998) addressed the impact of the education

awards of AmeriCorps programs on program participants’ future enroll-

ment in colleges and universities.

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ADMINISTRATION& SOCIETY, Vol.34 No. 5, November 2002 522-540

DOI: 10.1177/009539902237274

© 2002 Sage Publications

James Perry et al. (1999) conducted an extensive analysis of the pro-

gram’s goals and performance, highlighting the results of previousanaly-

ses. Employing Waldman’s (1995) Swiss army knife metaphor,Perry et al.

offered a multitude of well-considered questions regarding AmeriCorps’

utility. Perry et al. observed that one of the strongest justifications for

AmeriCorps “may rest in its symbolic and sociological effects....Service

has the potential to build networks of relationships among individuals,

linking them to the larger community.” (p. 246). Symbolic program out-

puts, however,do not readily lend themselves to empirical analysis. Bene-

fit-cost and community impact studies of AmeriCorps provide a valuable

but incomplete understanding of the program’s long-term consequences,

in light of Perry’s proposition.

Participation and efficacy building is an AmeriCorps program impact

that must be studied further in order to more accurately gauge program

effect on the membership. Building on Perry’s “symbolic impact” propo-

sition, this preservice-postservice study explores members’ opinions,

beliefs, and values prior to and following program participation. Our cen-

tral research questions are, What are the immediate effects of AmeriCorps

participation on the members? and What are implications for individual-

community relations for members?

AMERICORPS1

A Democrat-controlled Congress approved—and President Clinton

signed into law—the National and Community Trust Act of 1993, creat-

ing the Corporation for National Service (CNS) and establishing the

AmeriCorps program (Waldman,1995). Several existing community ser-

vice programs, such as Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)and the

National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), were administratively and

programmatically linked to AmeriCorps via CNS. Although not absorbed

by AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America and the National Senior Ser-

vice Corps came under the auspices of CNS (CNS, 2000).

AmeriCorps’primary objective is to “get things done” in local commu-

nities nationwide (Milton, 1994, p. 1). Volunteer participants in the pro-

gram are actively engaged in solving problems specific to particular

neighborhoods, towns, cities, and regions. AmeriCorps and the non-

profits, private businesses,and local government agencies with which the

program frequently collaborates often employ innovativeproblem-solvin g

strategies. AmeriCorps participants generally operate at the “street level”

Simon, Wang / IMPACT OF AMERICORPS SERVICE 523