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AmeriCorps ACCESS


Overview:	Based at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, AmeriCorps ACCESS serves the needs of immigrants and refugees in numerous communities across the state, placing more than 50 members with nonprofit agencies. The 10-year-old project used its first year’s funding to do a needs assessment of the area’s immigrant population. AmeriCorps ACCESS, which stands for AmeriCorps Cross-Cultural Education Service System, focuses on direct service. The members, many of whom are immigrants or refugees themselves, provide interpretation, information and referral services, and leadership development to the state’s growing immigrant population, along with teaching English and computer skills. They also offer disaster preparedness services, filling a unique niche by providing the services in about a dozen languages. Members receive intensive training, and receive a credential in cross-cultural human services from the university.

The Results:	About 10 new nonprofits have sprung up in the area to address immigrants’ needs since AmeriCorps ACCESS was established, using members serving with AmeriCorps ACCESS to help meet their goals. Many AmeriCorps members go on to serve with these nonprofits and other human service agencies, even members who had little previous interest in the field.

Why It Works:	Non-immigrant AmeriCorps members offer ACCESS clients an understanding of the social service system, while those members who are immigrants or refugees can readily understand the challenges facing others in the same situation.

Lessons:	Project director Raleigh Bailey advises tying the service to training so that members will achieve a specific skill or credential. In addition, collaborating with other agencies is crucial The collaboration has resulted in numerous former members’ continuing their involvement with immigrant and human service issues in the area.

Contact:	For further information, contact: Raleigh Bailey, (336) 256-1063 or email baileyview@triad.rr.com.