Benefits

Biweekly Living Allowance

Members receive a biweekly living allowance, which is approximately $490 for full-time members and $245 for part-time members. The living allowance can either be a direct deposit or a mailed check.

 

Applicants must take a careful look at their financial situation to determine if they can afford to commit to serve for one year with Minnesota Reading Corps. This Personal Budget Worksheet is a helpful tool in making that determination.

Education Award

Members who successfully complete their year of service will receive an education award of $5,350 for full-time members or $2,675 for part-time members. The education award can be used to pay back federal student loans or the cost of tuition. The education award is a voucher that has a seven-year expiration period and can be used at any accredited post-secondary school.

Health Insurance

Please review the 2009-10 Health Insurance Plan Summary to determine if the insurance provided by MRC will meet your health needs during your term of service.

  • Health coverage is available for full-time members only.
  • The insurance covers only the member and does not cover any dependents.
  • The coverage only provides a maximum of $150 of wellness care each year.
  • Members must pay for prescriptions out-of-pocket and file a claim (attaching the proper receipt) to be reimbursed.
  • Using a health care provider in their network will save the member money. Search their website to find health care providers in their network.

Student Loan Deferment

If a member is making payments to a federally-backed education loan, payments can be deferred during his or her year of service. And upon successful completion of the program, the accrued interest will be paid by the National Service Trust. Learn more about loan deferment on the AmeriCorps website

Childcare Assistance

Full-time members can qualify to receive child care assistance. There are income eligibility requirements that must be met in order to receive reimbursement.

Training & Literacy Coaching

Members receive training from well-respected literacy experts in Minnesota. The literacy training provides knowledge and tools for members to use to feel confident in their ability to help children master their literacy skills. Members are also provided an Internal Literacy Coach at their site to provide individual guidance and support.

Members also attend non-literacy trainings sponsored by Minnesota Reading Corps. These trainings focus on member development. Trainings are designed to be relevant, useful, and eye-opening experiences.

Experience and Networking

MRC members gain a year of experience working with children in an educational setting. Not only is it eye-opening in terms of exploring career possibilities, but their close work with on-site staff gives them insight from and connections to professionals already in the field.

Use Well-Researched, Professionally Developed Literacy Techniques

The literacy techniques used by Minnesota Reading Corps are based on research and are proven to be effective.

Members working with preschool-aged children are trained in SEEDS of Emergent Literacy. This training teaches members to focus their literacy interactions with children on the “Big Five” emergent literacy skills. These skills include conversation skills, vocabulary and background knowledge, book and print rules, phonological awareness, and alphabetic knowledge.

Members working with elementary-aged children are trained to provide specific reading interventions to help students practice reading. Members tutor each student daily for 20 minutes each week to build phonics, phonemic awareness, and fluency skills.

Grow in Citizenship and Community Volunteerism

MRC program requirements allow members a chance to participate in civic engagement activities and community service projects throughout the year, allowing for members to become more active citizens in their communities.