The AmeriCorps Community Training for Overdose Rescue (ACT) program in Wayne State University’s Center for Urban Studies is recruiting AmeriCorps members to serve as overdose rescue trainers for the summer 2022 cohort.

There were more than 2,000 opioid overdose deaths in Michigan in 2020, with many of them in Wayne County. ACT aims to prevent opioid overdose deaths in Southeast Michigan by training members of the community — including WSU staff, faculty and students — to be able to recognize an overdose, use Narcan nasal spray (an overdose-reversal medication) and give hands-only CPR.

“As an alumna of the AmeriCorps Community Training program and a current staff member on the team, I am a huge proponent of ACT and, more broadly, AmeriCorps,” said Parker Tomkinson, who is ACT’s training operations coordinator. “I served with a team of members from a variety of backgrounds, and we all came together to create change. This service opportunity will change your worldview, while allowing you to gain applicable professional skills and bond with some amazing people.”

The position is paid service experience for 20 hours a week for six months. AmeriCorps members serving with ACT can expect to:

• Gain hands-on health education experience.
• Build skills for the future.
• Network with public health groups and organizations.
• Serve on a diverse, energetic team.
• Earn a living allowance of $4,235 distributed evenly throughout their term.
• Receive an education award of $1,718 upon completion of their term

The summer 2022 cohort will begin June 13, 2022, and end Dec. 18, 2022. The application deadline is May 11, 2022. Applicants must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma.

To apply, visit stopoverdosedeaths.org.

AmeriCorps is currently operating on a hybrid in-person/virtual model while adjusting to the changing needs of the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, majority of the activities are virtual, but team members should expect to complete tasks in both virtual and in-person environments.

Those interested in AmeriCorps overdose rescue training can register for weekly, virtual public training or request private group training at stopoverdosedeaths.org/training. All participants will receive an overdose rescue kit containing Narcan nasal spray.