NCLR and NCLR AmeriCorps

General information regarding NCLR and NCLR AmeriCorps

How did NCLR become involved in AmeriCorps?

In 1995, the National Council of La Raza established the NCLR AmeriCorps*National Direct Program in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service. NCLR was funded as a national direct program working in more than two states. As a national direct, or parent, organization it provides training, technical assistance, and support to NCLR affiliates involved in the program as operating sites. The program provides valuable opportunities for youth to perform national service with an NCLR affiliate organization to address local community needs, gain critical career-building skills, and earn an educational award that can be used to pay for college or pay back qualified student loans.

What is the mission of NCLR’s AmeriCorps program?

NCLR AmeriCorps addresses the educational and employment needs of low-income Latino communities across the United States. Through community-based affiliates, NCLR AmeriCorps offers Hispanic Americans educational and workforce development programs such as literacy, language proficiency, and job preparedness skills training.

Who is the current NCLR AmeriCorps Program Director?

Ms. Geraldine Schafer is the current NCLR AmeriCorps National Program Director. Ms. Schafer has extensive international community development, project management, training, and supervisory experience, through her 25 years of working in the nonprofit arena serving Latinos. The NCLR AmeriCorps National Program Assistant is Rogelio Quintanar.

How is the program funded?

The NCLR AmeriCorps*National Direct Program is funded through a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). To maximize non-CNCS resources, NCLR and its affiliate organizations have ensured that the AmeriCorps program falls within the realm of other education, workforce development, and community-building initiatives.

Who is the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and what is its role?

The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through three programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Members and volunteers serve with national and community nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies to help meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other critical areas. In doing so, the Corporation fosters civic responsibility, strengthens the ties that bind us together as people, and provides educational opportunity for those who make a substantial commitment to service. The Corporation is part of USA Freedom Corps, a White House initiative to foster a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility, and to help all Americans answer the President's Call to Service.

What is NCLR’s connection with CNCS?

The National Council of La Raza is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service as an AmeriCorps*National Direct. NCLR’s AmeriCorps*National Direct operates in seven states and provides training, technical assistance, and support to sites in the implementation of the AmeriCorps project. Through a wide range of communication efforts, NCLR links sites to ensure accordance with NCLR’s vision and compliance with AmeriCorps provisions. NCLR’s system of regular monthly program director calls, and daily and weekly emails, provide sites information, news, initiatives, and approaches from the Corporation. A system of on-site visits, phone calls, and mini-desk audits are used to ensure compliance with NCLR’s established program framework.

Does NCLR have funding for AmeriCorps*VISTA?

NCLR is funded for an AmeriCorps*VISTA Project through the Corporation for National and Community Service, DC VISTA Office. The project supports three VISTA Volunteers working with three NCLR DC affiliates to assist sites in the enhancement and expansion of workforce development training and employment programs and services.

Are resource materials available for the program?

Yes. The Corporation for National and Community Service has a website, www.cns.gov, to provide extensive information and resources for all three streams of programming funded by the agency: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Program handbooks, manuals, forms, and other resources are available on-line at the Corporation website as well as the NCLR AmeriCorps website. Program materials can be downloaded from the websites for use by the programs.
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