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What is High Rocks?
High Rocks’ mission is to educate, empower and inspire young people in West Virginia. We provide opportunities for transformational
learning, leadership, creativity, and community engagement, and we believe that all people are gifted and that by investing in young
people, we are creating a strong, vibrant, participatory community for us all.
What is Gardens, Food, and Wellness Education at High Rocks?
High Rocks began in 1996 as a residential summer camp on a mountainside to help girls prepare for high school with a positive
outlook about themselves and their abilities. Now, we work not only with girls at summer camp, but with students and volunteers of all
ages throughout the year with the aim of making our communities stronger, richer, more vibrant places to work and live for all of us.
Gardens, Food, and Wellness Education AmeriCorps members will support our gardens, high tunnels, and deliver local foods programming directly to the community and young people, helping them learn to grow, market, and sell healthy food. They will help with High Rocks’ Grow Appalachia program where community members learn about healthy growing and cooking.
What are the duties of Gardens, Food, and Wellness Education AmeriCorps members at High Rocks?
Members will recruit students and volunteers; distribute flyers; contact participants by phone and social media; assist with transportation; plant and care for gardens; mentor students; harvest, pack, store, and process produce; Lead students and volunteers in menu planning and food preparation for healthy snacks and meals at all programs and events including camp; coordinate wellness programming; lead students and volunteers in developing a market garden, including production planning, communicating with buyers, post-harvest handling and transportation to market; coordinate gardening workshops; communicate by email and phone
Who can apply to be a High Rocks AmeriCorps Member?
Anyone who will be 18 by the end of their service year and has a high school diploma or GED. Car recommended. Experience growing food is a plus, not a must. Passion for young people and for growing and feeding people healthy and delicious food required.
Are there benefits?
Yes! AmeriCorps Members receive a living allowance of $717.48 (pre-tax) twice monthly throughout their service term, the potential for
a tuition waiver, and a Segal Education Award up to $3,247.50 (for members beginning service in March 2023) upon successful
completion of their term. This can be used to pay down existing student debt or on future educational expenses. Segal Education
Award recipients have seven years to use their award. Members also receive student loan deferment, professional development training, and health care benefits and childcare assistance, if eligible.
How do I get free tuition through AmeriCorps service?
Beginning in Fall 2022, any former, current, or future AmeriCorps Member serving in West Virginia may be eligible to receive tuition
waivers for their completed service! To be eligible, Members must successfully complete at least 600 hours of AmeriCorps service in
West Virginia, be accepted into a West Virginia state institution of higher learning, and complete the FAFSA. The AmeriCorps tuition
waiver is a “last dollar in” program. It kicks in after all federal and state student aid for which they qualify is applied (including Segal Education Awards, Pell grants, etc.). While members must accept federal and state aid offers, they do not have to accept loan offers
or work-study to be eligible for this waiver!
How do I apply? Tell me more…
To apply, email your resume and a cover letter to [email protected]. For more information about our program or other AmeriCorps opportunities, visit highrocks.org, email [email protected] or call (304) 653-4891