Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act: What Will Its Impact Be 30 Years From Now?

Today, President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, a bill that will triple the size of the AmeriCorps service program over the next eight years and expand ways for students to earn money for college through volunteer work. The bill outlines five areas in which people can serve: help the poor, improve education, encourage energy efficiency, strengthen access to health care and assist veterans.

During the current recession, AmeriCorps has received an unusually high number of applicants. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, the organization that oversees AmeriCorps, they received 17,038 online applications in March. A year ago, in March 2008, they received 6,770 applications.

I’ve read in a couple of different articles that recent graduates are turning to volunteer service as a way to postpone their job hunts. Students signing on with AmeriCorps could have once-in-a-lifetime experiences serving worthwhile causes and then…fingers crossed…be in a better position for getting the better jobs that will be opening up as the economy improves.

I’m pleased with the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act because it makes the AmeriCorps 10-month community service program an option for more young adults. I wonder how the legislation will impact the generation of kids who take advantage of it? Will their AmeriCorps service be something that they do to simply sidestep today’s lack of jobs ... or more likely, in my opinion ... will it shape them in more ways than we can imagine?