SCI AmeriCorps Fellows facilitate volunteerengagement, youthenrichment programs and communityoutreach activities at their nonprofit host site placement. Fellows are placed at youth-serving organizations in Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, and Woburn.
During a service term, SCI AmeriCorps Fellows gain professional nonprofit experience as well as: leadership training program through SCI, access college / graduate credit through an exclusive partnership with Merrimack College, and earn federal dollars towards higher education. Since 2007, over 300 Members have served local Greater Boston communities with SCI AmeriCorps.
SCI AmeriCorps Fellows serve youth ages 12 to 18 and adult volunteers that are a part of their host site communities. Host site communities are very diverse across the Greater Boston area with unique needs and strengths that we look to support and uplift!
Anyone who meets the following eligibility criteria may be an SCI AmeriCorps Fellow: – At least 18 years old – High School Diploma OR Equivalent Certification – U.S. American Citizen OR U.S. Permanent Resident – Complete and pass background checks – Passionate about community engagement and eager to learn about the nonprofit sector
SCI AmeriCorps Fellows build capacity for local nonprofit organizations in the areas of volunteer engagement and youth development. By building capacity for their host sites, Fellows support the longevity and efficacy of an organization’s program impact. While service activities may vary from host site to host site, some activities might include overseeing internship programs, supporting after-school activities, and managing volunteer programs, just to name a few!
Social Capital Inc. is based in Woburn, MA with a programmatic focus on the Greater Boston area. As our host sites may vary from year to year, so does our local impact. Historically we have served communities such as Woburn, Boston, Lynn, Lowell, Cambridge, Chelsea, and more.
SCI AmeriCorps partners with host site organizations in the Greater Boston area. Our partners vary from year-to-year, but historically we are most active in Boston, Woburn, Lynn, Chelsea, Lowell, Cambridge, and Lawrence. Fellows mostly serve in-person with some virtual activities depending on host site capacity.
SCI AmeriCorps Fellows serve for a variety of reasons, including a desire to cultivate connections within their local community and to grow their career skills as they make change happen. For some Fellows, there is a strong identification with the missions of the host sites we partner with. Some Fellows use the SCI AmeriCorps Fellowship opportunity as a gap year, as the SEGAL Education Award can help to alleviate higher education costs.
SCI AmeriCorps is continuously working hard to promote equity within the service and non-profit sector. To this end, our benefits package has been steadily growing from year to year through recent partnerships with Merrimack College and StudentRoomStay. This year we are proud to offer an exclusive benefits package that amounts to $48,381and you can learn more about those benefits here.
Our SCI Developing Leaders program is specifically designed to not only support a Fellow’s success during their service term, but to also prepare them for their journey beyond. Through a service year with SCI AmeriCorps Some career tracks after SCI AmeriCorps may include nonprofit management, marketing and communications, education, and more!
SCI AmeriCorps is partnering with The Merrimack College Winston School of Education and Social Policy to offer training, credentialing, and academic credit for members during their term of service! In the fall, Fellows complete the SCI Developing Leaders program, and in the spring, Fellows are enrolled in the course “Community Engagement Theory and Practice.” Learn more about our partnership in this case study by America’s Service Commissions.
SCI AmeriCorps is a hybrid program with some host sites serving completely in person while others allow for a hybrid experience. The Community Engagement course with Merrimack College is offered online with the potential to host a couple classes in-person on campus.
SCI AmeriCorps is an AmeriCorps national service program. SCI AmeriCorps Fellows are engaged in national service through the AmeriCorps program and are not volunteers, interns, or employees. They play a unique role in local communities or organizations to address unmet needs. Learn more about AmeriCorps here.
As an SCI AmeriCorps Fellow, you have the ability to defer your student loans while you serve and receive a SEGAL Education Award once you complete your service year. The SEGAL Education Award may assist in any educational costs from tuition to student loans! Learn more about the SEGAL Education Award here.
Each year, SCI AmeriCorps invites local nonprofit organizations to apply to become a host site partner. Upon completing the application and interview process, Host Sites are selected based on their capacity needs and alignment with SCI AmeriCorps goals and values. We then invite candidates to apply for the Host Site positions they are most interested in. After a successful interview screening with the SCI AmeriCorps Program Coordinator, candidates are invited to a second interview with their desired host site placements. Selected candidates will be offered a placement by August 26th, 2024.
Yes, starting in late 2024, SCI AmeriCorps Fellows will have the option to enroll in Student Room Stay, a new program that provides optional hosting accommodation during the service year. SCI AmeriCorps understands how difficult navigating the Boston housing market may be, and our hope is that this optional program will help to mitigate any challenges in accessing local accommodation. More information on this program can be found here.
SCI AmeriCorps' Partnership with Merrimack receives National Highlight!
Developed by America’s Service Commissions, the National Service & Higher Education Toolkit featured SCI AmeriCorps in a Case Study exploring our partnership with Merrimack College!
Questions? Email americorps@socialcapitalinc.org or call 781.935.2244 ext. 4
SCI AmeriCorps Fellows laughing with youth
SCI AmeriCorps Fellowship Details
SCI AmeriCorps prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based on of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military service/veteran status, political affiliation, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Fellowship Stipend Options (a or b)
Receive a Taxable Stipend of $2,500 / month, paid bi-weekly (max stipend value = $25,000 per year).
Receive a Taxable Stipend of $1,600 / month, paid bi-weekly, with Housing Placement & Homestay Benefit [$900 / month] provided by StudentRoomStay (max stipend value = $25,000 year).
Fellowship Program Benefits
Earn a Federal Education Award worth up to $7,395 upon successful completion of service
May receive Student Loan Forbearance during active service
Full Healthcare (medical, dental) provided by SCI AmeriCorps
$90 / month Transportation Stipend during your service term provided by SCI AmeriCorps
SCI Developing Leaders Program – receive badges of completion for 50+ hours of comprehensive career development in partnership with Merrimack College
Access to Merrimack College campus resources via Merrimack Student ID
Free Enrollment in a Community Engagement course taught by Merrimack College faculty with the option to receive undergraduate or graduate academic credit
Core Fellowship Activities
Fellow activities will vary by host site, but may include some or all of the following:
Developing and implementing Community Service-Learning (CSL) projects
Engaging in Youth Mentorship
Leadership or Management of other Enrichment Activities (e.g. homework support, healthy lifestyles, and post-secondary success)
Volunteer Management Systems development and/or implementation
Volunteer Recruitment & Coordination
Volunteer Event Planning and/or Management
Community Outreach & Relationship Building
All Fellows:Facilitate a group of youth currently being served by the host site, to develop and implement a Social Capital Youth Project (SCYP) as the capstone of the Fellow’s youth enrichment service. The project will focus on community needs identified by the youth & members. The goal is to empower youth to positively impact their communities and build their social capital through collaboration with peers and adults while developing leadership skills.
Essential Fellowship Requirements
Able to commit to a full-term of service in local communities with diverse residents
Effective communication skills to conduct community outreach through marketing strategies and civic engagement
Strong work ethic, collaboration, and time management skills
Availability to serve in-person for some or all service activities.
AmeriCorps engages thousands of Americans in service opportunities each year through nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and conservation efforts across the country. Joining AmeriCorps is a way to put your idealism into action.
When you join AmeriCorps, you’ll earn money towards past or future education, learn to be a leader, and gain real job skills. SCI AmeriCorps members build social capital in their communities through civic engagement opportunities and gain valuable experience in the process. Check out the video to learn more!
