CAC AmeriCorps offers the opportunity to serve and make a difference in a variety of fantastic East Tennessee Communities with an abundance of scenic vistas and a variety of opportunities related to sports, the arts, outdoor recreation, and other food and entertainment amenities.  While the majority of our members serve in the Knoxville/Knox County area, members also serve and live in the City of Oak Ridge, City of Maryville and City of Alcoa in Blount County,  and living in Cherokee National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Alums of our program consistently report that our attractive neck of the woods was one of the reasons for choosing CAC AmeriCorps for service and, in some cases, for sticking around after.  With a cost of living below the national average, the affordability of our region makes it very practical to get by on the modest AmeriCorps living stipend while still having opportunities to enjoy a variety of free and low-cost activities.

Living in Knoxville
Living in Knoxville will provide you with the best opportunity to serve and collaborate with a broad  range of government and non-profit partners in the area.  As the third largest city in Tennessee, with a population approaching 190,000, the City is a good size to have a broad range of contemporary amenities. Enjoy outdoor recreation? Knoxville boasts over 50 miles of connected trail in it’s urban wilderness, as well areas for rock climbing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and mountain biking, not to mention Knoxville’s proximity to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Frozen Head State Park, and more. Love shopping local? Be sure to check out the Market Square Farmer’s Market, RALA, and Three Rivers Market. Can’t get enough live music? Take a look at Mill & Mine, The Pilot Light, Tennessee Theatre, Bijou, Scruffy City Hall, and Big Ears Festival! No matter the season, there is always something exciting happening in Knoxville for you to enjoy.

Living in Sevierville / the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Characterized by it’s natural beauty and bustling tourism, Sevier County is home to Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Dollywood , Ober Gatlinburg, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  This part of the state is a prime US destination for vacations with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park consistently being ranked as the most visited National Park in the US. Many of our members serving with the GSMNP chose to live in on-site accommodations that favor those who prefer a little bit more of a natural setting and see themselves to careers in natural resource management and public lands.  Many of our members have been successful in transitioning into federal employment following their term

Regardless of your location, when you serve with CAC AmeriCorps you will be a part of a progressive, action-oriented service community of people who have all committed to making the world around them a better place.

Resources
Anderson County
Blount County
City of Knoxville
City of Maryville
City of Oak Ridge
Knox County
Sevier County
Visit Knoxville
Visit Sevierville
Guide to Tellico Plains