Since 1994, AmeriCorps has helped manage 1 million volunteers
and build 6,000 Habitat homes

Washington D.C. — In recognition of AmeriCorps' decade of service to America, more than 300 Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members from around the country have come to Dallas to work with local volunteers to build 22 homes in a nine-day "blitz build."

The build marks 10 years of AmeriCorps and Habitat for Humanity working together to build affordable homes and eliminate substandard housing. Since AmeriCorps members began serving with Habitat in 1994, they have helped build more than 6,000 homes and manage more than one million volunteers.

David Eisner, CEO of AmeriCorps' parent agency the Corporation for National and Community Service, will join the blitz build on Saturday, May 22nd to help finish work and dedicate the homes. More than 3,000 Dallas-area volunteers are building the homes from the ground up in Dallas' Pinebrook neighborhood. The blitz started on Saturday, May 15 and is the second-largest build fielded by Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity.

"For ten years AmeriCorps and Habitat for Humanity have helped thousands of American families achieve their dream of home ownership," said David Eisner. "Habitat is an exceptional organization, and we're thrilled that AmeriCorps has helped Habitat boost its productivity, both through hands-on construction and recruiting and supervising volunteers. This is one of the best examples I know of national service serving as an engine of volunteer mobilization, a role we want to increase in our second decade of service to America."

Habitat for Humanity International was one of the first organizations to apply for AmeriCorps members. In 1994, 122 AmeriCorps members served with five Habitat for Humanity affiliates to help build 123 homes. This year, more than 450 AmeriCorps members will volunteer 600,000 hours with 55 Habitat affiliates to help build 1,100 homes and to recruit, train, and lead an additional 150,000 volunteers. Many former AmeriCorps members now work for Habitat, helping increase the capacity of the organization which results in more homes built for those in need.

"AmeriCorps members do a great job of serving communities by working with Habitat for Humanity and other nonprofit organizations," said Allyson Streeter, of AmeriCorps national direct program for Habitat for Humanity International. "They support Habitat by serving as construction crew leaders, volunteer organizers, family support coordinators and other positions that help families achieve the dream of homeownership."

AmeriCorps engages Americans in innovative, intensive service to meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security and other areas. Members serve with national non-profit organizations, as well as with hundreds of smaller community organizations, both secular and faith-based. AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. Together with USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility. For more information, call (202) 606-5000, or visit www.nationalservice.org.

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