When Service is the Trophy, Everyone Wins

By CNCS Staff

CNCS is proud to support national service initiatives in Boston and Seattle

While the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks settle their score in Arizona Sunday night, there’s nothing wrong with a little friendly competition in the service arena. Because here at the Corporation for National and Community Service, we know whenever service is part of the game, everyone wins.

Here’s a fun look at the service tale of the tape for thetwo regions:

  • Our latest Volunteering and Civic Life in America report found that Seattleites finished fourth in the nation for volunteering, while Bostonians ranked 35th.
  • There are 3,301 national service members serving in 328 locations around Boston. Seattle can claim 2,484 in service at 198 locations.
  • Since 1994, our AmeriCorps members in Boston and Seattle have collected millions in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards to help fund their education expenses. More than 6,500 Boston residents have served over 8.1 million hours and qualified for Segal awards totaling more than $18.7 million. Over 5,400 Seattle residents have served more than 8.7 million hours, earning more than $20.5 million in education awards.
  • Boston is the home of City Year, one of the more prolific AmeriCorps programs, placing members in schools across the nation, including Seattle. Seattle benefits from the services of the innovative Washington Vet Corps AmeriCorps program to help vets achieve their higher education goals and ease their transition to civilian life.

Frankly, those examples are just the tip of the iceberg.

Across both regions, a wide variety of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps national service participants and Social Innovation Fund grantees provide services that enhance and improve the lives of their fellow citizens. Some of the programs and grantees serving both areas include Jumpstart, Teach For America, RSVP, Foster Grandparents, and the Student Conservation Association (SCA).

We don’t know which team will win this Sunday’s big game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, but we do know that no matter the outcome, we’ll celebrate with service!