I have been apart of the AmeriCorps program for 2 years and have developed community, educated hundreds of children in science and leadership, and have developed skills to use while allowing me continue my education in school counseling. 
Service is important but after serving for two years you can not receive another education award. I know service in itself is important but under the americorps program the stipend and education award is difficult to survive. I would provide just a bit more money to the AmeriCorps programs so that the people serving can still pay their bills and able to continue on with their lives after the program ends without having a difficult time moving on. $800 a month is not enough to give up your whole year and at times not have enough to pay the bills.