AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects more than 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet our country’s critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment. AmeriCorps is often referred to as a “domestic Peace Corps.” Its members serve with more than 3,000 non-profit organizations, public agencies, and faith-based and community organizations. Since 1994, more than 540,000 men and women have provided needed assistance to millions of Americans across the nation through their AmeriCorps service. ComCorps is funded by the Ohio Commission on Service and Volunteerism (www.serveohio.org), a state agency that aims to be the central hub for volunteerism in the state of Ohio and strengthen Ohio’s communities. If you are interested in making an 11 month commitment to delivering health services in Athens County, please contact Lauren Borovicka or visit http://www.americorps.gov/.

Click here if you are Interested in becoming an AmeriCorps member

ComCorps is Athens County’s local division of the national program AmeriCorps. Housed in the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Community Health Programs
(http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/csp/), 20 passionate members serve an 11 month term packed with 1700 hours of life changing development and experience serving others. The mission of ComCorps is to provide health education, access to health-care and health screenings for children and families in Athens County. Locally, many of the support systems needed to ensure adequate health services for families are lacking. ComCorps service members are active in many different areas of the community such as schools and agencies. Collectively, some of the important health education topics that the volunteers are responsible for are conducting health screenings and referring individuals for lice, vision, hearing, gross motor skills, and immunization compliance.

Currently, the program is focused towards obesity prevention. A multitude of activities such as Food Is Elementary, gardening education and outreach, CFI Donation Station outreach
and health screenings are being offered to community members. Through these activities, CompCorps is striving to decrease the body mass index of youth across the County by engaging students, family, and community members to play an active role in their health and wellbeing. ComCorps will provide nutrition and garden education along with increasing access to healthy fresh food. Partners for these initiatives include Athens City Schools, Athens City-County Health Department, Athens County Children Services, Community Health Programs, Community Food Initiatives, Federal Hocking School District, Kids On Campus, Nelsonville-York City Schools, Live Healthy Appalachia, Rural Action and Trimble Local Schools.

2011-2012 COMCorps Logic Model  (PDF)

ComCorps members are involved in a countless number of events. Some of the main events that members attend and/or facilitate as a group are Make a Difference Day, MLK Day events, Good Works Walk for the Homeless, Kidfest, and the Bike Rodeo. ComCorps is a crucial service to the community because many health services, health education, and access to health-care would be inadequate without our program. Many residents rely on the services provided by ComCorps to live healthy and more productive lives.

COMCorps News: March 2011 Newsletter (PDF)