Widener Receives 14 AmeriCorps Educational Awards for Students to Provide Community Service

Widener University was recently awarded 14 education awards from AmeriCorps and PennSERVE, the Governor's Office on Citizen Service, that will help students provide vital service to the community and receive funding to help pay for college.

AmeriCorps awarded Widener six Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania and eight Pennsylvania Campus Compact Community Fellows education awards for the 2012-13 academic -year.

Students in the Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania program and the Pennsylvania Campus Compact Community Fellows Program complete 300 hours of service in Chester, Pa during the year and receive approximately a $1,100 education award from the Corporation for National and Community Service. They also receive weekly leadership training from the Widener University Office of Civic Engagement, help recruit, train, and retain additional Widener student volunteers, and serve as the primary liaison to the Chester community partners. 

Scholarship recipients will serve as volunteer coordinators in the Widener Cares after-school tutoring program, Big Brothers/Big Impact male mentoring program at Stetser Elementary School, and the College Access Center of Delaware County. They will also spearhead a new weekly program with senior citizens in the rehabilitation center at Taylor Hospital. Other Widener AmeriCorps students will help coordinate and recruit volunteers at various ongoing service programs including Chester Upland Soccer for Success, Make a Difference Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Food Day, and other weekly and monthly community partnerships in the city of Chester.