Created: 3/11/2009 9:47:52 PM 
Greensboro, NC -- How does guaranteed job security plus thousands for college sound? It doesn't matter if you're a college student, or nearing retirement. National service organizations offer meager stipends with those benefits, but for growing numbers of Americans, it's worth it. AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps are seeing rising numbers of applicants this year. Maybe you haven't heard of them. Leslie McGee didn't know about AmeriCorps until she found out in an email. Now she's a member, and living her dream. "My passion is women and children, and maybe because you know being a single mother," says McGee. Through AmeriCorps she counsels Triad women struggling with substance abuse. "It's not just about the money, you know of course we all need the money," says McGee. She has the drive to serve others, and her counseling work is helping prepare her for a career in social work. Right now, she isn't worried about a layoff. 23-year-old Paul Vincent has already been through a lay off. He lost his warehouse work in October. "It's just hard to find a job these days," says Vincent. "It gets harder every day." Now Vincent is waiting on an acceptance letter from the Peace Corps, the international counterpart to AmeriCorps. Promoting goodwill in a foreign country is something he already knew he wanted to do. "I'm ready to you know cross the ocean and help out other people in need," says Vincent. "So it's just where your priorities are at." Peace Corps and AmeriCorps members will tell you, their work isn't for everyone. But it's definitely worth considering. "You want to get a little bit of money, you don't have a job... I mean it's like your whole focus will change," says McGee. To learn about Peace Corps and AmeriCorps opportunities, click on the links below. Local AmeriCorps Work Sites AmeriCorps Website Peace Corps Website
WFMY News 2
