Family Services of Metro Orlando is partnering with a national nonprofit to deploy 25 young people throughout the community in paid, 10-month apprenticeships at local nonprofits. Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program for young leaders who are interested in strengthening their community, will launch in Orlando in October.
The apprentices, or Allies, will be responsible for fulfilling specific goals at the nonprofits they are assigned to. In addition, they will pursue team service projects designed to positively impact the community. During their time as Public Allies, they also participate in retreats and workshops to develop their personal and leadership skills.
“Through our new partnership with Public Allies, we can begin to develop the next generation of nonprofit leadership for our region,” said Greg Kurth, CEO of Family Services of Metro Orlando. “This is the next step in the evolution of Central Florida’s nonprofit sector.”
Applications from Central Florida nonprofits and government entities wishing to host Allies are being accepted now. Contact Karla Radka at 407.398.7975 to request an application.
Paul Schmitz, President and CEO of Public Allies, said that the expansion brings the number of Public Allies communities to 21. In addition to Orlando, Public Allies is expanding to Minneapolis-St. Paul and Washington, D.C. this fall. The organization will eventually engage 656 young leaders in their communities during the 2010-11 program year.
Public Allies is a national nonprofit based in Milwaukee, Wis. It was founded in 1992 by a diverse group of young nonprofit leaders who believed that there were many energetic, talented young people who wanted to tackle community and national issues, but who needed support in learning how. The program prepares Allies for careers in nonprofit and public-sector work. A recently completed survey of Public Allies alumni revealed that 76% remain in those sectors, and 67% remain in the communities where they did their original Ally work.
“Family Services of Metro Orlando will be a terrific partner,” said Schmitz. “We share each other’s values of helping find a community’s assets and leveraging them for long-lasting change. And of course, young adults with a passion to make a difference are among Orlando’s most important assets.”
