The Georgia Personal Assistance Service Corps

(GaPasCorp) and Americorps Project kick off their sea-

son with opening ceremonies today.

Representatives from all 14 Americorps programs

throughout the state will attend the event, which will

take place in Sandy Creek Park at 9 a.m.

Signed into law in 1993, the first service year for the

Americorps Program, known as the "domestic Peace

Corps," was 1994-1995. Programs provided by

Americorps are involve either the environment, educa-

tion, public safety or human need.

Funded through the University’s Program on

Human Development and Disability, GaPasCorp mem-

bers provide service to people with developmental dis-

abilities.

"The ultimate goal is community inclusion," said

Katie Ford, director of GaPasCorp. "We want to change

the attitudes of the community at large toward people

with developmental disabilities."

Members must be at least 17 years old, have a high

school diploma and a desire to serve their community

and the disabled.

"We need people who want to get things done," Ford

said.

Members who fulfill 900 hours of service in a 12-

month period receive a reward of $2,363 toward their

education and a small allowance during their service.

New members will be sworn in at the ceremony, and

the key note speaker will be (University Vice President

for Service and Outreach) Eugene Younts.

After the ceremony, members will spend two and a

half hours working on service projects. Some of the

places they will work at are Sandy Creek Park, Athens

Area Homeless Shelter, Potter’s House and the Rape

Crisis Center.

"Our work is personal assistance, and these are

much needed programs in our community," Ford said.