Texas Border Business
MCALLEN, TX (June 12, 2017) – AmeriCorps in collaboration with South Texas College is seeking participants for its Continuing Education volunteer program who will assist with GED, ESL, computer, workplace and literacy initiatives.
AmeriCorps VISTA, working in tandem with the Continuing Professional and Workforce Education (CPWE) program at STC has begun the year-long program in an effort to fight literacy and assist low-income communities in the region.
“We want to let the community know about the volunteer initiative. We need volunteers to help with these classes,” said Alyssa Garcia, VISTA Coordinator of Basic Skills Volunteers. “What I am focused on right now is the literacy movement, and helping people climb out of poverty. By helping these individuals obtain their GED, we can help them find a better wage job. This is especially true for Hispanics who are at the poverty level. Some work full-time and they are still considered low income. But once these people get their GED, they will be able to get a better job and have more opportunities as a whole.”
AmeriCorps engages more than 80,000 Americans in intensive service each year at 21,600 unique sites including nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups across the country. Since the program’s founding in 1994, more than 1 million AmeriCorps members have contributed more than 1.4 billion hours in service across America while tackling pressing problems and mobilizing more than 2.3 million volunteers for the organizations they serve.
“Right now I am based out of the CPWE offices, and I am assisting them with this remarkable journey towards enhancing literacy in South Texas.” Garcia said. “The sooner we get these volunteers the better, so we can begin to serve the community and fight poverty together. Getting involved with this initiative will allow volunteers to bring a halt to the 36 million adults in the United States that lack basic work skills like literacy, and help the citizens of South Texas gain the skills they need in order to reach their maximum potential.” Garcia said.
Anyone looking to volunteer can contact Alyssa Garcia, VISTA Coordinator of Basic Skills Volunteers, at 872-1671 or email at alyssa.n.garcia01@gmail.com
