Our Program and The Region We Serve

MECC AmeriCorps: The regular Mountain Empire Community College AmeriCorps Program* is a State/National AmeriCorps program. MECC AmeriCorps has the literacy tutoring of children in grades Pre-K through 6 as its primary focus. Members serve as tutors in public schools in the counties of Wise, Lee, Dickenson and the City of Norton (refer to map). There are also members who serve as tutors/mentors of adult learners participating in PluggedInVA within the counties of Scott, Wise and Dickenson.

During the summers, placements are also made in local non-profit daycare and preschool centers. The 2010-2011 MECC AmeriCorps service program runs from Sept. 1, 2010 through August 31, 2011. Applications are being accepted now for the 2010-2011 program year. You can apply via a paper application or apply online. Paper applications are available either for download or on-campus. To view ad, click here.

Members receive training in tutoring, leadership, active citizenship, career planning, teamwork, diversity, disaster services, First Aid and CPR/AED and environmental issues. They are role-models for and promoters of volunteerism and community service. MECC AmeriCorps is a program sponsored by the Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Service (VOVCS) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).

MECC AmeriCorps was established in 1999. Since that time, it has grown from 18 members to 40 members. Thirty-five members are selected from student applicants at MECC and five are selected from student applicants at UVA-Wise. Students from all fields of study are encouraged to apply. This program does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation, disability, or religion.

Community service projects of various kinds are worked on by MECC AmeriCorps members each year. We collaborate on joint projects with local volunteer agencies. Among these projects are the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library Project in Lee County and partnering various non-profit groups promoting volunteersim, food drives and book drives / book swaps at the schools. Members have also participated in environmental projects, an animal shelter and care project, volunteered with the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, helped with Project Energy Save with MEOC, Inc. and AARP, help with the annual Discovery the World of Children training event, sponsored a Tsunami Relief Fundraising Drive, helped with recovery and relief efforts after a tornado struck Big Stone Gap, and served as volunteers for the Remote Area Medical (RAM) Expedition.

*PENDING FUNDING OF THE 2010 - 2011 GRANT.