Indianapolis, IN - Indiana this week will join the rest of the country in celebrating the service of AmeriCorps members during the 2nd Annual National AmeriCorps Week, May 11-18, 2008. During this time local communities will spotlight the vital work done by AmeriCorps members since the national service program began 15 years ago. “We are proud to be part of AmeriCorps and grateful for the AmeriCorps members who are getting things done,” said Ike Randolph, executive director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, (OFBCI). “AmeriCorps members have made a tremendous impact in our state as they embody the spirit of Hoosiers helping Hoosiers”.

Since 1994, more than 540,000 men and women have joined AmeriCorps, and have given more than 705 million hours of service to their country. AmeriCorps works through existing organizations, helping them reach more people and better achieve their mission. In Indiana, more than 31,000 people of all ages and backgrounds are helping to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and increase civic engagement through 79 national service projects across the state; according to the Corporation for National & Community Service, (CNCS) the nation’s largest grant-maker supporting service and volunteering.

This year, CNCS will commit more than $10,600,000 to support Indiana communities through its three national service initiatives of AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America. AmeriCorps provides more than 640 members the opportunity to engage in intensive, results-driven service to meet the educational, environmental, public safety, and other pressing needs in communities across Indiana. The Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives is responsible for roughly three-quarters of all AmeriCorps grant funding, and in turns awards those grants to nonprofit groups to respond to local needs.

“AmeriCorps benefits everyone by providing professional growth experiences for partner agencies and members. What can you do to serve Indiana? Join AmeriCorps!” said Debbie Anderson, National Service Program Officer with OFBCI.

Many AmeriCorps members remain actively engaged in their communities once their service is complete. They not only can be counted on as volunteers, but they also run nonprofits, marshal resources within their communities to address difficult issues, and many pursue public service careers.

To celebrate the AmeriCorps week, Governor Mitch Daniels has signed a proclamation honoring the work of the members in the state. In his proclamation Governor Daniels reaffirmed the effectiveness of AmeriCorps in engaging Americans of all ages and backgrounds in meeting needs and promoting an ethic of service and volunteering. To further honor AmeriCorps members, Martin J. Moore of the Moore Foundation has donated tickets to the Indianapolis Indians home game on Friday May 16, 2008 as they host the Richmond Braves.

In support of AmeriCorps Week, several of the programs are engaged in a number of service projects around the state. These events allow community residents to learn about, and participate in AmeriCorps programs. A brief summary of statewide events include:

Red Cross AmeriCorps Program in Northern Indiana, Red Cross- St. Joseph County Chapter

• Fort Wayne Great American Clean-up May 17th.
• Project Together Improving Peoples Yards (TIPY) seeks to re-green yards of Pulaski County residents damaged by flooding from the Tippecanoe River in January and February of this year; supported by AmeriCorps members in South Bend.
• Presentations by AmeriCorps members of Merrillville for high schools thought-out the Gary, Hammond, East Chicago, and Merrillville areas.
• Additionally, AmeriCorps members of that region are teaching CPR, First Aid, and Community Disaster Education classes; using these opportunities to talk about AmeriCorps and National Service.

AmeriCorps Improving Health Throughout Indiana (AIHTI), Indiana State Department of Health

• Presentations by AmeriCorps members for the students of the Edgewood school on nutrition through a walking program that teaches the value of having a healthy diet.
• The program sponsored a free conference on May 9th that featured obesity experts from Indiana University, Clarian Health, and other local health experts. The conference, held at the Ruth Lilly Learning Center, Riley Outpatient Center at I.U.P.U.I., offered insight and strategies to reduce the obesity rate in Indiana. Conference partners included the Indiana State Department of Health, and Indiana University’s School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
• AIHTI is also sponsoring a community walk with the Active Living Coalition of Bloomington on May 17th.

Building a Healthy Community, Franklin College

• The Johnson County Juvenile Detention is honoring their AmeriCorps members by sponsoring a cook-out on May 13th.
• Youth Connections will be taking their members out to lunch.
• Esperanza en Jesucristo will provide care packages for their members for finals week.
• AmeriCorps member were given a personally signed a thank-you from the Mayor of Franklin and the President of Franklin College.

United Way of Porter County, Porter County Partnership

• AmeriCorps members are participating in two community service projects, to include; visiting local high schools to spread the word about community service and the AmeriCorps program, and giving lessons in safety and volunteering at Valparaiso’s Bike with the Mayor and Bike Rodeo programs.
• On May 5th, a panel of the local AmeriCorps volunteers spoke with Lori Cornett on WVLP 98.3 FM from 6pm-7pm.
• On Monday, May 12, 2008 AmeriCorps members did yard work, mulched, and planted flowers at Hilltop Neighborhood House in Valparaiso.
• AmeriCorps members are assisting at the local soup kitchen Café Manna run through St. Teresa of Avila church near Valparaiso University on May 15^th.
• And on, May 17^th the members are supporting the Bike with the Mayor and Bike Rodeo programs in conjunction with the Valparaiso Parks Department and Fit City campaign.

Scott County Partnership

• On Friday May 23rd, Scott County AmeriCorps members are participating in a beautification program for the city at the Austin Learning Center located at what previously was the Austin High school. Members will be planting flowers, trimming shrubs, and spreading mulch to spruce up the outside of the building.

Sycamore Service Corps, Indiana State University

• The program was visited by Congressman Brad Ellsworth in January 2008 who wanted to learn more about the AmeriCorps program; more specifically on the work being done by the members of the Sycamore Service Corps.
• On Monday January 21st the Center for Public Service and community engagement, hosted its 2nd annual Martin Luther King Day. Over 130 students, along with Sycamore Service Corps members participated in service projects in various community agencies.

Contact information for each of the above programs is located at: http://www.in.gov/ofbci/2357.htm.

The Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives promotes service and volunteerism in the State of Indiana. Working together with other government agencies, AmeriCorps*State programs, volunteer centers, and faith-based and community organizations, the OFBCI helps Hoosiers to develop and implement solutions in their own communities.

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