Post-graduation, pre-college (gap) year service options... AmeriCorps in New York...

AmeriCorps in New York

This year AmeriCorps will provide more than 5,000 individuals the opportunity to provide intensive, results-driven service to meet education, environmental, health, economic and other pressing needs in communities across New York. Most AmeriCorps grant funding goes to the Governor-appointed New York State Commission on National & Community Service, which in turn awards grants to nonprofit groups to respond to local needs. Most of the remainder of the grant funding is distributed by the Corporation directly to multi-state and national organizations through a competitive grants process. Other individuals serve through AmeriCorps VISTA, whose members help bring individuals and communities out of poverty by serving full-time to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses and increase housing opportunities, and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), a 10-month, full time residential program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24. In exchange for their service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans. Since 1994, more than 64,000 New York residents have served more than 100 million hours and have qualified for Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards totaling more than $218,600,000.

http://www.americorps.gov/about/role_impact/state_profiles_detail.asp?tbl_profiles_state=NY