AmeriCorps is a national service program that provides thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds with a living allowance, housing stipend, and an educational award in exchange for specified term of community service. AmeriCorps members help meet the nation’s critical needs in areas of public safety, education, human needs and the environment. Read more about the AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps members at Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity make an incredible impact!

What roles do AmeriCorps members play at GDM Habitat?

Construction AmeriCorps members

The construction AmeriCorps play an integral part in building and repairing homes. They lead groups of skilled and unskilled volunteers and homeowner families in construction activities while maintaining a safe, efficient work environment, thus, developing and enhancing your volunteer management and construction skills.

Family Services AmeriCorps members

Members focus on recruiting families for homeownership and home repair projects as well as help ensure they complete program requirements.

Volunteer Services AmeriCorps members

Members recruit and support volunteer for a wide variety of positions including construction, repair and the ReStores.

Green Iowa AmeriCorps members

GDM Habitat partners with the University of Northern Iowa and their Center for Energy & Environmental Education to serve as a host site for Green Iowa AmeriCorps. Through this partnership, we host AmeriCorps members who specialize in energy and environmental services, conducting energy audits and educating the public to help conserve energy. The Green Iowa AmeriCorps program is separate from those listed above. For information on benefits and how to apply, visit www.greeniowaamericorps.org

AmeriCorps Interest Form

Completing the AmeriCorps Interest Form will notify our team that you may be interested in joining the GDM Habitat AmeriCorps team. Our team will follow up with you to learn more.

Benefits of AmeriCorps Service

The AmeriCorps National Direct living allowance is about $17,000 (as of 2022) paid over a 46.5 weeks term of service for a 12 month AmeriCorps member.

  • Education award of $6,495 (as of 2022). The education awards are paid as vouchers by the National Service Trust, and may be redeemed within seven years to pay for current education costs at qualified colleges, universities, other post-secondary institutions and approved school-to-work programs, or to pay back qualified student loans already incurred.
  • Student Loan Forbearance:  AmeriCorps members may be eligible to postpone the repayment of their qualified student loans through loan forbearance. While the loan is in forbearance during the term of service, interest continues to accrue.  Accrued interest on qualified loans may be eligible for payment by the National Service Trust. Please check out the AmeriCorps website for additional details.  Please note that not all loans are qualified for forbearance.
  • Health benefits: Members are eligible to enroll in a limited health plan.
  • Personal and sick leave
  • Childcare: AmeriCorps members can receive childcare benefits if they meet the eligibility requirements.
  • Housing Stipend: AmeriCorps members depending on the term length of their service can receive $200/month housing subsidy.

What makes AmeriCorps at GDM Habitat special?

The work you do will make a make a big impact on your life and on the lives of people within the Greater Des Moines community. You can expect to gain significant technical skills as well as soft skills working with the Habitat team and the families we serve.  You’ll gain significant leadership, conflict resolution, and communication skills during your term and these types of skills translate to many different disciplines. It’s a chance to apply your skills and ideals toward helping others and meeting critical needs in the community. AmeriCorps programs do more than move communities forward, they serve their members by creating jobs and providing pathways to opportunity for people entering the workforce.

GDM Habitat for Humanity

95 University Ave., Suite 1
Des Moines, Iowa 50314

515-471-8686

Office Hours
Mon. – Fri. 8:00am – 4:00pm

East Euclid ReStore

2200 E. Euclid Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa 50317

515-650-6827
For donations, call 515-309-0224

Store Hours
Mon. – Sat. 9:00am – 6:00pm

Urbandale ReStore

4033 NW Urbandale Dr.
Urbandale, Iowa 50322

515-650-6828
For donations, call 515-309-0224

Store Hours
Mon. – Sat. 9:00am – 6:00pm