Washington D.C. — The Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network will receive a $400,000 grant to engage students in service-learning activities designed to make their communities safer and more secure, the Corporation for National and Community Service announced today.

"The Points of Light Foundation program is one of the very best we received in this special grant Homeland Security grant competition," said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. "This new collaboration with the Volunteer Center network represents yet another example of the ways that national service can support the nation's volunteer infrastructure and engage Americans of all ages in making contributions to their communities."

The Points of Light Foundation is one of only 10 agencies and organizations - including six state departments of education - to receive grants in this new competition administered by Learn and Serve America, one of the three main programs of the Corporation. A total of 57 applications were received by the Corporation. A total of $4.1 million will be distributed to the grantees.

"The service-learning model, we believe, can be an excellent means of training students in homeland security activities," said Amy Cohen, Director of Learn and Serve America. "These grants will advance our knowledge of the most effective ways to help young people get involved in a crucial issue early in life," she said. Service-learning is an approach to education that links community service to academic achievement, while also teaching students about our country's civic institutions and traditions. According to Department of Education statistics, about one-third of all K-12 students in the United States participate in service-learning programs.

The Points of Light Foundation will use the grant to fund the "Youth: Ready to Respond" program, which will help young people plan for and respond to the health, safety, and security concerns associated with natural and man-made disasters. The Foundation will work with local education agency/Volunteer Center partnerships in 10 communities to develop and implement service-learning projects. Over a two-year period, these projects will engage at least 2,000 students ages 5 to 17 and 200 adult volunteers. Additionally, the Foundation will develop materials and resources to assist other such partnerships in replicating these programs and in disseminating resources to the more than 350 Volunteer Centers in the National Network.

The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through three main programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Working with national and community nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies, the Corporation engages Americans in service to meet critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other areas. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.org.

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