Weiner outlined the program’s details during the kickoff recruitment event for AmeriCorps Week.
The program would be open to people between the ages of 18 and 24 who maintained a B average while in high school. Also, they must have a parent who is a resident of the city or must have graduated from a city high school.
Participants will be required to give one year of volunteer service.
Under GothamCorps, cities will help decide where to use the volunteers. Weiner is also recommending that the mayor be given the discretion to decide on “one single challenge” for volunteers to work on. A third proposed improvement by Weiner is “city match,” where “AmeriCorps grants should be used to leverage additional local matching grants.”
Young adults who take part in the program will receive an AmeriCorps Education Award, which gives the volunteer about $4,725 to use towards college tuition or student loans, and “a second year of free tuition at a local public college.” Volunteers would also get an AmeriCorps Living Stipend, which will be for $12,000 in New York City.
GothamCorps is expected to cost $260 million each year.
“Young Americans have always been moved by a spirit of community,” Weiner said. “That ethos is strong in New York City today, and this program will tap the limitless energy of our young citizens.”
