Univ. of Louisville
Americorps Bonner Leader Program
Applications for the the 2011-2012 Bonner Leader Program are currently closed, but Applications for the 2012-2013 Bonner Leader Program will available in early Spring 2012!
The Bonner Leader Program is a service-learning leadership program that places student teams at local non-profit organizations addressing social justice, educational, poverty, environmental, and cultural/arts issues present in the Louisville community. In addition to direct service experiences, training, enrichment, reflection, and co-education with community partners are an integral aspect of the program.
This program is funded through Americorps, therefore students are required to complete the program in a particular time period based upon the term of service commitment. Upon completion of this term of service, each participant receives an education award that may be applied to student loans or college costs.
Bonner Leaders make a commitment to perform 300 hours of community service at an arranged non-profit organization of their interest. Past sites have included: all America Reads sites, Chapel House Assisted Living, ElderServ, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Seven Counties 24 Hour Crisis Line, Americana Community Center, ACTIVE Louisville, Arcadia Community Center, and many more.
Bonners have a calendar year to finish their hours. This can be done by the end of the spring semester if students do 10 hours a week for each 15 weeks of fall and spring semester. On completion of 300 successful service hours, all participants receive a $1000 stipend that can be used for cost of attendance items or to pay off student loans. If a student gets federal work-study, he/she will also be eligible for a bi-weekly salary. Students may complete two terms of service:
- 300 hours, 1 year commitment, $1,000.00 award
- 450 hours, 1 year commitment, $1,250.25 award
- 900 hours, 2 year commitment, $2,362.50 award
Program Goals
The Bonner Program is designed to transform not only the students who are directly supported by the program, but also the campus and community in which they serve and learn.
For the Student:
To provide access to a college education for students with high financial need.To afford students the opportunity to enhance and use their abilities, talents, and leadership to serve others while in college.
To create a supportive community of students on campus whose common focus on community service gives them a sense of purpose and meaning.
For the Community:
To channel the energies of college students, faculty, and staff to continue to improve and expand upon the quality and nature of services offered to the community.
To break down the barriers between town and gown leading to improved communication and greater collaboration between the two.
For more information about the program, including commitments of the Bonner Program, please visit this link.
Please feel free to visit the Bonner organization site.
Contact Kim Shaver, Service Learning Coordinator, at (502) 852-433 or kkjohn01@louisville.edu.
Bonner Leaders with Wes Moore, author of the "The Other Wes Moore" at IdeaFest Reception
