What Is Project HEART?

East Carolina’s Project HEART (High Expectations for At Risk Teens), is a regional partnership between ECU, AmeriCorps, the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, community colleges, private colleges, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other community organizations in eastern North Carolina.  Project HEART aims to increase the number of students who succeed academically, reduce the dropout rate and increase the number of students who graduate from high school in 4 years. 

What Do You Do?

Through this program unique to East Carolina, you will serve in the following ways:

• Spend about twenty hours each week for twelve consecutive months interacting with ten students at a school, a Boys & Girls Club, or an after-school program.

• Tutor elementary and middle school students who score below the state standard in reading.

• Mentor these students to help them improve in the classroom and beyond.

• Tutor ninth-grade and tenth-grade students in the AVID program.

You will also earn a stipend of $5,398.00 to be paid monthly in equal amounts of $449.83. Members successfully completing 900 hours of service will be eligible for an educational award of $2,363.00 to attend graduate school or pay off school loans.

What Do You Gain?

In addition to the financial incentives Project HEART offers, you’ll also get to

• experience personal growth by helping others;

• expand your leadership skills and your connection to the community;

• strengthen your understanding of social issues facing the students you work with;

• develop a strong sense of civic engagement;

• build friendships.

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible to enroll in Project HEART, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
• Be at least seventeen years old
• Have a High School Diploma or GED or obtain one while serving
• Be enrolled full time in an approved educational program
• Have at least a 3.0 GPA
• Be dependable, organized, trustworthy, flexible, and energetic
• Have a positive attitude

      People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Who are the Partners?
East Carolina University, AmeriCorps, and the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service are proud to be partners with:

Barton College
Beaufort Community College
Building Hope Community Life Center
Campbell University
Craven County Schools
Johnston Community College

Lenoir Community College

Martin County Schools
Nash-Rocky Mount Schools
Pitt Community College
Pitt County Boys & Girls Clubs
Pitt County Schools
Wilson County Schools

What are the Benefits?
During the past 5 years:

• Significant increase in the number of students passing the EOG’s and EOC's 
• Significant increase in the number of hours of service to local communities (more than 266,000)
• Significant increase in scholarships for high school, community college, and university students (more then $2 million)
• Significant increase in the number of at risk students receiving tutoring services (more than 4,000 students)

For Information Please Contact:
Dr. Betty Beacham
Ragdale 104-A
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
252.328.4357