Large group photo of Public Allies Delaware alumni gathered together wearing formal attire at the 30th Anniversary Celebration in 2024
Photo credit: Ta'Tra Bradshaw / Strikingly Odd Media

ABOUT US

Ìýis a national movement committed to advancing social justice and equity byÌýengaging and activatingÌýthe leadership capacities of people from all communities, especially those who are most often underrepresented.ÌýAs a program of the Center for Community Research and ServiceÌý(CCRS), Public Allies DelawareÌýbelieves that communities already have the leadership they need to create lasting social change.Ìý

We have three primary ways through which we find and cultivate those leaders and connect them to the issues and causes that ignite their passion:

  • 10-Month Public Allies AmeriCorps Apprenticeship Program
  • The Leadership Acceleration Program (LAP)
  • Public Allies Delaware Alumni Council

Ìý

MISSION, VISION, VALUES

OurÌýmissionÌýis to create a just and equitable society and the diverse leadership to sustain it.ÌýOurÌývisionÌýis a more perfect Union that includes all of us.Ìý

We believe ourÌýmission and vision can be fulfilled when leaders from all walks of life, all backgrounds and beliefs, and all corners of the globe operate from a core set ofÌývaluesÌýand values-based practices:ÌýContinuous Learning, Collaboration, Focus on Assets, Inclusion, Innovation, and Integrity.

our signature 10-month Americorps Program

We believe everyone leads

...and each year we recruit people from a diversity of backgrounds to apply forÌýour unique 10-month AmeriCorps program. Our participants develop their leadership abilities and influence and get on a pathway to furthering their education and career. Our program weaves together four key elements that constitute an experiential journey of self-discovery and professional development:

  • ApprenticeshipÌýAllies are provided with the opportunity to gain real world experiences in a supportive learning environment, while building organizational capacity within a nonprofit or public agency. Allies create, improve, and expand services with measurable results.
  • Reflection & CoachingÌýShare results, observations, analyze and reflect. A consistent and supportive practice of critical reflection allows leaders to understand their experiences and accelerate personal growth. By learning to give and receive feedback, leaders strengthen relationships, collaborations and teams. Through this process, leaders define and claim their narratives as individuals and as a collective.
  • Team Service Project (TSP)ÌýA team of Allies works together to plan and implement a project to benefit their community. Allies have an opportunity to mobilize individual and community assets and work with people from all walks of life.
  • Training & LearningÌýGuided by a robust and relevant curriculum, cohorts of leaders gather to engage with theoretical frameworks, peer-problem-solve, and learn new skills essential to their work. This is a time of building cohort. Honing 21st Century leadership and workplace skills helps leaders from all backgrounds learn new ways of responding to problems and initiating solutions that encourage shared responsibility, alliance-building, and using existing resources.

is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. AmeriCorps members commit their time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, preparing for disasters, and more.Ìý

We are accepting 26-27 applications starting 2/2/2026!

When you join Public Allies, you join a national network of inspiring leaders dedicated to practicing six core values of Diversity/Inclusion, Collaboration, Continuous Learning, Integrity, Building on Assets, and Innovation. We want our Allies to learn, grow, and lead in diverse and challenging environments.

Our intensive program starts in the fall and runs through summer. Allies who are selected invest 10 months in nonprofit and community-based organizations, while receiving valuable leadership and professional training.

Ìý

Program benefits include:

  • Being a part of the AmeriCorps national service network
  • A $22,000Ìýliving stipendÌý
  • $7,395Ìý
  • Student loan forbearance or deferment
  • Paid healthcare
  • Childcare subsidy
  • Networking with nonprofit and community leaders
  • Leadership skills training

Our Allies gain valuable leadership skills and professional experience, set personal and professional goals, receive training and coaching, and plan for their future to help them achieve their potential. You will utilize your new leadership skills to help strengthen the organization you are assigned to, as well as connect with leaders and organizations in your community to address real-world issues. Public Allies bases our selection of applicants on core competencies.

Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident at least 17 years of age with a high school diploma or GED is encouraged to apply for our program.

Our AmeriCorps Ally program is available to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, criminal record, political affiliation, marital or parental status, military service, community, or social affiliations.ÌýIn fact, we work hard to ensure our program is as diverse as possible.

Strong partnerships are key to fulfilling our mission

Nonprofit and government agencies areÌýneeded to host ourÌýAmeriCorps Members!

Since 1994, hundreds of organizations have partnered with us to provide apprenticeships for diverse, emerging leaders who are driven by our values and committed to strengthening their communities.

Nonprofit organizations and government agenciesÌýthat need to create, improve, or expand their services to meet community needs are invitedÌýto apply to host an ally. Allies have served at organizations focused on youth, education, economic development, health, arts, environment, and other socialÌýandÌýcommunityÌýservices.Ìý

Organizations should view allies as valuable tools in expanding the capacity of the organization through greater effectiveness, efficiency or reach.

Ìý

Partnership benefits:

  • From fall through summer, anÌýAlly willÌýserve a minimum of 1300 hours with your organization for ten monthsÌý
  • Address gaps in your organizational capacity, while maximizing resources and staffing costs
  • Allies can strengthen your organizations impact in many ways. Here are someÌýexamples:
    • Launch a new after-school programÌý
    • Improve a case management systemÌý
    • Expand a teen leadership program
    • Create an outreach program
  • Gain an extension of your staff who can bring over 200 hours of nonprofit and community leadership training to your work with the community
  • Empower the next generation of leadership in our community and provide them with the opportunity to receive health care, child care assistance, student loan forbearance, and a post-service education awards from AmeriCorps
  • Access a network of 25+ nonprofit and government agencies who are also hosting Public Allies

Ìý

Your commitment:

Our partners play a crucial role in supporting emergingÌýleaders by providing an invaluable personal and professionalÌýdevelopment experience through the Public Allies 10-month AmeriCorpsÌýApprenticeship Program.

  • Work with our staff to create a well-definedÌýposition description with significant responsibilities andÌýmeasurable objectives
  • Provide your ally with directÌýsupervision, support and reporting on their service objectives
  • Based on your annual budget, pay a portion of the ally's living stipend and benefits

PUBLIC ALLIES DELAWARE TEAM

Tina Morrow

Program Director
 

Candace Jusino

Program Coordinator
 

Jennie Yeow

Program Manager
 

Support our work

How to give

While we receive AmeriCorps funding and grants from foundations and corporations, weÌýrely upon generous support from individuals like you.

When you give to Public AlliesÌýDelaware you help diverse, emerging leaders expand their skills, knowledge, andÌýexperience. You also support them on a pathway to furthering their education andÌýfinding a career in public service. You help communities become more engaged inÌýfinding solutions to problems. And you help nonprofits attract and retain the diverseÌýleadership they need to make a difference.

A tax-deductible contribution can be madeÌýÌýthroughÌýthe 91Ô­´´'s central donation page.Ìý

Please specify "Public Allies"ÌýwhenÌýasked to designate.Ìý