Laurel Plays / Americorps

Laurel Plays is a comprehensive development program that works with the AmeriCorps program to provide participants with opportunities to receive job training and educational awards while providing services to the city’s residents.

Participants can earn money toward their educational expenses, including student loan repayment, and may receive a bi-weekly stipend. Participants over the age of 55, can donate their educational award to a child or grandchild.

Mission Statement:

Laurel Plays is a comprehensive development program that works with the AmeriCorps program to provide participants with opportunities to receive job training and educational awards while providing services to the city’s residents.

Participants can earn money toward their educational expenses, including student loan repayment, and may receive a bi-weekly stipend. Participants over the age of 55, can donate their educational award to a child or grandchild.

Service Description:

Laurel Plays is a comprehensive development program that works with the AmeriCorps program to provide participants with opportunities to receive job training and educational awards while providing services to the city’s residents.

Participants can earn money toward their educational expenses, including student loan repayment, and may receive a bi-weekly stipend. Participants over the age of 55, can donate their educational award to a child or grandchild.

The program currently has three stages. They are as follows:

  Required Service Hours Educational Award Stipend
 Stage 1 1,200 Hours $4,546.50 $450.00
 Stage 2 675 Hours $2,474.27 $253.00
 Stage 3 300 Hours $1,374.60 TBD


Education awards are dispersed at the completion of the program and can be used for any post-secondary educational programs or to repay student loan debt.

Program Benefits include:

A flexible schedule, stipend, and education award upon completion of service.

Service Areas Include:

Environmental, neighborhood revitalization, public safety, community outreach, health, children and youth services.

Work Schedule is flexible, and includes part-time, nights, and weekend hours.

Participants’ school schedules will be considered in scheduling and are allowed to have other jobs in addition to their service responsibilities. It is strongly recommended that participants have their own reliable transportation. Uniforms will be required and provided by the program.

Participants must be at least 16 years old.

The City of Laurel, established as a lumber town in 1882, is conveniently situated approximately two hours from larger destination cities such as Jackson, Biloxi, New Orleans, and Mobile. In recent years, the city has become a destination all its own thanks, in part, to its starring role in HGTV’s popular “Hometown” series. As Laurel, and interest in it, continues to grow, we are committed to providing the resources necessary to help all of our residents and businesses reach their full potential.
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