AmeriCorps Oakland is one of five finalists for the Ninth Annual Governor's Service Awards as the National Service Program of the Year, and Carol Anne Ketelsen, program director for AmeriCorps Oakland, is one of five finalists for the National Service Program Director of the Year Award.

The awards will be announced at a special ceremony Monday, April 29, in Lansing. This is the second time AmeriCorps Oakland has been nominated as the Program of the Year. The Governor's Service Awards recognize and celebrate the extraordinary efforts of Michigan's volunteers.

AmeriCorps Oakland is one of nine original programs in Michigan. Each year 40 Oakland University students commit to 900 hours of community service where they provide one-on-one tutoring and after-school and summer enrichment programs to children from Pontiac. They tutor the children in reading, math and science. The enrichment programs focus on character education; conflict resolution; hands-on science, arts and crafts; and diversity. Additionally, members participate in more than 50 community service projects each year.

For more information about AmeriCorps Oakland, contact Ketelsen at (248) 370-3216.