About Us
What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps members serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving. AmeriCorps helps make service a cornerstone of our national culture.
What We Do
We administer AmeriCorps funding throughout Oklahoma and promote national service as an effective means of tackling our state’s toughest challenges.
Why We Do It
We exist to serve. Our mission is to strengthen Oklahoma communities, develop leaders, provide opportunities, and improve the quality of life in our state through service. Since 1994, more than 11,000 Oklahomans of all ages and backgrounds have helped us grow our mission. We believe that when we all work together, we all make an impact.
How We Do It
We fund AmeriCorps grants in the state of Oklahoma. AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations proposing to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions/practices to strengthen communities. An AmeriCorps member is an individual who engages in community service through an approved national service position. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving. Upon successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that they can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans.
How We Help
AmeriCorps members are a critical component in service delivery for many organizations across America. AmeriCorps members can provide mentoring or academic services, protect, and improve public lands and trails, build capacity in nonprofit organizations, and much more.
If you are considering applying for AmeriCorps, we encourage you to view the Programs page.
Organizations that are eligible to apply for an AmeriCorps program include:
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Local or national nonprofit organizations;
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Institutions of higher education;
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Local or state governmental entities; and Native American tribes.
Leadership
Commissioners
Pamela Ballard
Tulsa, OK
Beverly Hoster
Tulsa, OK
Lynne Miller
Norman, OK
Lyn Smith
Edmond, OK
Landri Chaplin
Stillwater, OK
Mignon Lambley
Hooker, OK
Homer Nicholson
Ponca City, OK
Karen Sneary
Alva, OK
Ron Collett, Jr.
Norman, OK
Baruc Lara
OKC, OK
Shaunda Noah
Red Oak, OK
Richelle Voth
Tulsa, OK
Kathryn Gage
Edmond, OK
Marissa Lightsey
Shawnee, OK
Adrienne Nobles
OKC, OK
Cara Wells
Tulsa, OK
Our Staff
Melinda Points
Executive Director
Melinda is responsible for all board activities and provides oversight of financial and programmatic areas of the Commission. She is also on the public policy committee that informs Congress of community needs. Melinda also serves as the liaison between the Commission and the federal agency.
Anne Smith
Senior Grants Officer
Anne provides support and guidance to our current and prospective programs in everything from applying for funding to running a successful and compliant program. Anne is passionate about championing for others to be strong leaders, and is fueled by the joy of serving others and strong dark coffee.
Nicky Kazerooni
Program Officer
Nicky helps provide support, training, and technical assistance to AmeriCorps program staff, and also helps individuals interested in serving find a program that is a good fit for them. Nicky has previous experience in the Oklahoma nonprofit sector and comes from a social work background.
Meagan Gill
Controller
Meagan oversees financial matters of the Commission. She also provides financial training and technical assistance to AmeriCorps program staff and helps monitor the financial health of AmeriCorps Programs.