A live, online chat to help you sort out the differences among several service corps.

You knew that Peace Corps Volunteers serve abroad and AmeriCorps members serve in the States. But…

Did you know that Peace Corps Volunteers receive a readjustment allowance at the end of their term totalling around $6,000 — but that AmeriCorps members earn an Education Award (around $5,000) that can be used for tuition and student loans?

Did you know that some AmeriCorps VISTA terms are as brief as 8 weeks, while Peace Corps lasts around 27 months?

Did you know that AmeriCorps members can take on part-time jobs during their term, but Peace Corps Volunteers and VISTAs can’t?

Prospective participants in these programs can get the inside scoop on the differences and similarities among these service corps tomorrow. In honor of the September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance, Peace Corps and AmeriCorps are coming together for their first-ever online United We Serve web chat for prospective corps members and Volunteers.

The chat, which starts Friday Sept. 11th at 12 noon Pacific/3 p.m. Eastern will feature Janet Allen, manager of the Peace Corps San Francisco Regional Recruitment Office, and Janet Beatty, California state program specialist for the Corporation for National and Community Service, for an online information session about Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, NCCC, Senior Corps, and more.

Participants will learn about each program’s qualifications, application process, benefits and rewards.

Registration is required — the chat is free and open to anyone.

From the Web chat event page:

About AmeriCorps:
Begun in 1994, the AmeriCorps programs provide opportunities for Americans to make an intensive commitment to service. The AmeriCorps network of local, state, and national service programs engages more than 70,000 Americans in intensive service each year.

AmeriCorps members serve through more than 3,000 nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based and other community organizations, helping meet critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment. The variety of service opportunities is almost unlimited. Members may tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after-school programs, or help communities respond to disasters.

About Peace Corps:
Since 1961, the Peace Corps has shared with the world America’s most precious resource – its people. Peace Corps Volunteers serve in 74 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Collaborating with local community members, Volunteers work in education, health, business, agriculture, youth development, the environment and more.

Coming from all walks of life and representing the rich diversity of the American people, Volunteers range in age from college students to retirees. Every Peace Corps Volunteer’s experience is different. From teaching English to elementary school children in Zambia to launching a computer learning center in Moldova to promoting HIV/AIDS awareness in South Africa to working on soil conservation in Panama, Volunteers bring their skills and life experiences to where they are needed most.

Also check out The New Service Pride Month podcast LGBT Perspectives in AmeriCorps & Peace Corps.

For more information and questions about the web chat, contact Nathan Hale Sargent, halesargent [at] peacecorps.gov.