John McCain needs to press more common flesh if he sincerely believes most Americans have never heard of AmeriCorps.<\/p>\n
To correct this perceived problem, here’s what John suggests<\/a>:<\/p>\n I believe AmeriCorps needs to be expanded and changed, in ways that do not alter those aspects of the program that make it effective, but that build greater espirit de corps among members and encourage a sense of national unity and mission. <\/p>\n There is no doubt that this can be done because some smaller programs within AmeriCorps are already doing it. One example is City Year, an AmeriCorps effort that began in Boston and is now operating in 13 American cities. City Year members wear uniforms, work in teams, learn public speaking skills, and gather together for daily calisthenics, often in highly public places such as in front of city hall. They also provide vital services, such as organizing after-school activities and helping the elderly in assisted-living facilities. <\/p>\n Another example is AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps, a service program consciously structured along military lines. NCCC members not only wear uniforms and work in teams, as City Year members do, but actually live together in barracks on former military bases, and are deployed to service projects far from their home base. This “24\/7” experience fosters group cohesion and a sense of mission. AmeriCorps’ NCCC members know they are part of a national effort to serve their country. The communities they serve know that, too.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n via Gene Healy<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" John McCain needs to press more common flesh if he sincerely believes most Americans have never heard of AmeriCorps. To correct this perceived problem, here’s what John suggests: I believe AmeriCorps needs to be expanded and changed, in ways that … Continue reading