New AmeriCorps Program Gives Gulf Coast Young Adults Work Opportunities

Young adults with and without disabilities in Hancock and Harrison counties will have a new opportunity to work in the community as part of an AmeriCorps service program.

TRIAD Service AmeriCorps, a project of The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies, has received funding for another year and will undertake the new mission to promote health education and physical activity in local school districts.

TRIAD AmeriCorps currently has 33 members in Hattiesburg. These young adults, including some Southern Miss students, work in the community 25 to 40 hours a week. The new funding will allow for an additional three member slots, which will be based out of the Institute for Disability Studies on both the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses.

“We're excited about this opportunity to expand the TRIAD Service AmeriCorps program to both Southern Miss campuses,” said Rebekah Young, PhD, MPH, CHES, associate director of the Institute. “The AmeriCorps program provides inclusive service and volunteerism dedicated to providing health education and physical activity opportunities for middle and high school students with and without disabilities.”

Full-time TRIAD AmeriCorps positions are available for 1,700 hours of service. The annual living allowance is $12,530 ($1,044.17 monthly). An education award of $5,730 is available along with health care benefits and childcare assistance. For more information about the program, contact Jin Joo M. Crosby at 601.266.6037 or jin.mcclendonFREEMississippi