PORTLAND/LEWISTON — Goodwill Industries of Northern New England has announced the start of the Multilanguage Leadership Corps, a new program that places AmeriCorps members with English Language Learners in schools and nonprofit organizations in greater Portland and Lewiston. AmeriCorps members focus on mentoring, school skills support and community engagement to increase academic engagement among English Language Learners.

Close to 20 AmeriCorps members will serve at 14 different sites, including the Lewiston and Portland Housing Authorities, Westbrook School Department, The Telling Room and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine.

Close to 25 AmeriCorps members also began their year of service in another Goodwill AmeriCorps program, the Great Strides Rural Education Corps. AmeriCorps volunteers are placed in rural schools throughout Maine to work with at-risk students in grades 4-12 to engage them in a successful school experience. Members provide mentoring and service learning opportunities, academic support and community resources to students to increase educational attainment. Specifically, members assist students with school attendance, graduation and entrance into post-secondary institutions.

This year, AmeriCorps members will be serving schools in Bethel, Camden, Cherryfield, Fort Fairfield, Greenville, Hartland, Hinckley, Lebanon, Millbridge, Naples, Rockland, Searsport, Skowhegan, Sullivan and Tenants Harbor.

AmeriCorps members serve nine to 11 months and receive a stipend and educational award that can be used for college or repayment of student loans. Members also engage in training opportunities throughout their year of service, including mentoring and counseling, grant writing, public relations and project planning.

Those interested in becoming an AmeriCorps volunteer or organizations wishing to host a member can contact Joely Ross, Goodwill AmeriCorp program manager, at joely.ross@goodwillnne.org.