How would you respond to the criticism that AmeriCorps exploits and undervalue young bodies/labor? I think for a long time the corps was a legitimate and worthwhile way to build skills and find an entry point for a career-- these days it often seems that the organizations taking AmeriCorps money and running programs are just interested in cheap labor to fund their non profit operations, and the members are catching on-- recruitment is way down, corps "wages" have stagnated while even the most basic of jobs is now paying $15/hr, the education award hasn't remotely kept up with the price of education...etc. etc. How is it a viable option for anyone that doesn't already come from wealth and can afford to essentially subsidize AmeriCorps by paying their own living expenses for a year?
Nodnal t1_j478hu5 wrote
Reply to I am Michael Smith and I lead the federal agency that inspires and invests in service and volunteering. by AmeriCorpsCEO
How would you respond to the criticism that AmeriCorps exploits and undervalue young bodies/labor? I think for a long time the corps was a legitimate and worthwhile way to build skills and find an entry point for a career-- these days it often seems that the organizations taking AmeriCorps money and running programs are just interested in cheap labor to fund their non profit operations, and the members are catching on-- recruitment is way down, corps "wages" have stagnated while even the most basic of jobs is now paying $15/hr, the education award hasn't remotely kept up with the price of education...etc. etc. How is it a viable option for anyone that doesn't already come from wealth and can afford to essentially subsidize AmeriCorps by paying their own living expenses for a year?