Getting things done for America

‘Getting things done for America’ has been the foundational mission of AmeriCorps NCCC for nearly three decades. 

Created in 1992, AmeriCorps NCCC is one branch of the National Community Service Program known today as AmeriCorps. It utilizes a team-based, blitz-force tackle approach to support communities. AmeriCorps NCCC focuses on five main areas: energy conservation; environmental stewardship and conservation; infrastructure improvement; natural and other disasters; and urban and rural development. These focal areas and AmeriCorps NCCC’s priority on improving communities across the country make them a natural partner for Catholic Charities. 

Catholic Charities agencies have partnered with AmeriCorps NCCC teams since 1999. Within the past 17 years, Catholic Charities agencies have hosted 27 AmeriCorps NCCC teams, or nearly 254 members, contributing more than 43,051 hours of service. AmeriCorps NCCC has partnered with Catholic Charities on projects including disaster support (supporting sheltering operations, serving meals, and helping with assessments and wellness checks, disaster education programs and outreach), building renovations (improving ADA accessibility, creating trail maps, improving signage, and making home repairs), youth services (working with after school programming, renovating parks and playgrounds, and conducting neighborhood cleanups) and administrative support (managing donations, supporting VITA and tax projects, and providing additional assistance to community partners). 

Within the past three years, six Catholic Charities agencies have partnered with AmeriCorps NCCC: Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana, Catholic Charities of Acadiana, Catholic Charities Maine, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, Catholic Charities of Jackson MS, and Catholic Charities Lake City. Here are two examples of the teamwork:

• Catholic Charities of Acadiana received an NCCC team in response to Hurricanes Delta and Laura. The team completed 185 work orders, removed 7,730 pounds of debris, tarped 73 homes, and assessed 90 homes for future assistance.  
• Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana, Lake Charles, also received three NCCC teams in response to hurricane Delta and Laura. The team assisted 7,988 people in disaster services, collected and distributed 217,830 pounds of food, and removed 48,200 pounds of debris. The team was also sent back to the area several months later for a second project working with Catholic Charities’ food assistance program. For a more in-depth look at their service, please watch this video.

AmeriCorps NCCC is a no match, no cost-share requirement program, and teams come with completed federal background checks and their own transportation. If you are interested in reviewing a presentation with AmeriCorps NCCC staff, you can access the recording here. If you know someone that might be interested in serving in AmeriCorps, please encourage them to learn more here. To learn more about how AmeriCorps NCCC can help expand your vision in 2021, please contact Abby Qualliotine, aqualliotine@catholiccharitiesusa.org, manager of AmeriCorps Programs at CCUSA. 

Overall Accomplishment Totals for NCCC Projects with Catholic Charities Nationwide 2004-2021