ServeOhio empowers local communities to mobilize AmeriCorps and community volunteer resources to meet their most challenging needs.  We work with leadership to develop and implement AmeriCorps programming to address the frontline issues in education, health and economic opportunity.  We partner with the nonprofit, government and faith-based sectors to increase the effective utilization of volunteers.

ServeOhio's Impact 

AmeriCorps 

ServeOhio addresses Ohio's most critical needs by investing in high-impact, evidence-based AmeriCorps programs. In the 2020 program year, ServeOhio invested $8.8 million in Ohio communities; over 70% of the funding was awarded to programs that address education, meeting local education needs from kindergarten readiness to college graduation.  

Education

Improving educational outcomes for Ohio students is critical for the economic and social wellbeing of all Ohioans. That is why ServeOhio has prioritized Education as the number one funding priority in the 2020 program year, investing $6.3 million to increase academic success. ServeOhio Programs mobilize nearly 700 AmeriCorps members as tutors, coaches, mentors, and teachers helping students to succeed in school and gain skills necessary for 21^st century jobs.

Economic Opportunity

In the 2020 program year, ServeOhio invested $1.1 million to fund programs that build skills and increase employment for the most vulnerable citizens in our communities. AmeriCorps members support and facilitate access to employment services, financial literacy education, GED education, and job skills that contribute to the improved economic well-being and security of low-income communities in Ohio.

Healthy Futures

AmeriCorps members are making Ohio’s communities healthier and stronger every day.  In the 2020 program year, ServeOhio invested over $1.4 million to fund programs that improve the health of Ohio’s most vulnerable communities including children, veterans, and individuals addicted to opiates.​ Members help to improve individual and community health through programs designed to increase health education and screenings, improve environmental conditions in Appalachia, increase access to safe and affordable housing, and provide information and referrals to treatment resources. 

For more information about AmeriCorps funding, click here. 

Developing Employment Pathways for Members

AmeriCorps programs do more than move communities forward; they serve their members by providing opportunities for young people entering the workforce.  ServeOhio partners with local programs to build skills and increase employment opportunities for the 900+ individuals now serving as AmeriCorps members. Ohio AmeriCorps members will receive over 100,000 hours of professional development and training, and earn $4.2 million in education awards that can be used to pay for post-secondary education or qualified student loans.  Additionally, many AmeriCorps programs help their members obtain professional certifications during their service term, which increases their employability post-service.

AmeriCorps Service Hours by Impact Area

"AmeriCorps has influenced my goals in life, and how I want to contribute to helping my community. AmeriCorps helped change my life for bigger and better opportunities."

 - AmeriCorps Alum

Volunteer Engagement

ServeOhio strengthens Ohio communities by promoting volunteerism and equipping volunteer administrators, coordinators and non-profits with the tools to strategically engage volunteers. In partnership with our partners - American Electric Power Foundation, and the Volunteer Generation Fund - ServeOhio provides grants to support community service projects organized for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, Global Youth Serivce Day, ServeOhio Day, and Make a Difference Day.

In the last program year, ServeOhio supported 10,843 volunteers in 52,873 in service through our project grants and AmeriCorps member volunteer mobilization. Volunteers participated in a variety of activities including community cleanups, building community gardens, collecting and distributing care products for the homeless, making fleece blankets for critically ill children, planting trees, and much more!

For more information about national days of service project funding, click here. 

“Over the past 15 years of teaching sixth grade at Alexander, I have dabbled in a variety of service projects, but when I read about the grant opportunity through ServeOhio, I felt for the first time that we could make a positive impact on our community as a whole.”

- Karmi Holzaepfel, Alexander Middle School Teacher and MLK Day Grant Recipient