BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Event will coincide with Governor Jon S. Corzine's and Secretary of State Wells' designation of October as a "Statewide Month of Community Service," a campaign to enhance volunteerism opportunities statewide while promoting the positive economic and social benefits of community service to communities.

The AmeriCorps members in attendance had their positions created through funding appropriated by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) signed into law by President Barack Obama in February, and they will prove instrumental to facilitating the educational components within the New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC), the community-based organization that both founded and supports the Community Charter School of Paterson.

VISUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

Secretary Wells will hear firsthand from young AmeriCorps volunteers about their own unique personal experiences, and explored such topics as what draws young people to national service; the needs of AmeriCorps volunteers within their own educational development; how the state and community-based organizations can further assist young people; the value of mentoring; and effective promotional strategies the public and private sector can utilize to expand volunteerism and community service.