Are you - or someone you know - looking for a life-changing experience?

We're accepting applications now for our 2013/2014 AmeriCorps team, which will come together in mid-August. After three weeks of training, the 35 members will head to child-care centers, libraries, pediatric clinics and the R2LP offices, where they will work through mid-July to further our vision that all young children will be healthy and ready to learn.

"The Ready to Learn AmeriCorps program gave me training and professional experience in a field I was interested in, while also letting me give me back to the community," says Emily Schwab, who is serving in a neighborhood library this year. "It's been a win-win."

Members currently receive a $12,100 living allowance, health insurance, and a $5,550 educational award. In some cases, members are eligible for a child-care allowance.

Click here for more information and to download an application. The deadline to submit applications (and two reference letters) is May 1. We encourage candidates who are bilingual to apply but we can accommodate those who speak only English or Spanish. 

Classes in The Incredible Years, a 14-week program that increases the social competence of children and reduces challenging behaviors, have gotten under way.

"I'm loving this program," says Tania Quezada (below, left), who is co-facilitating our first class with Magda Ortiz. "It provides so many resources. We all see ourselves in the video vignettes, and they trigger great discussions. The whole group works together to find better strategies for handling behavior issues."

In the next three years, Ready to Learn will offer the program to 300 home child-care providers and parents in both English and Spanish.

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