FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 07, 2004
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Corporation for National and Community Service
CONTACT: Sandy Scott
202-606-5000 x255
sscott@cns.gov |
Corporation and Points of Light Foundation to Collaborate In Engaging Students in Homeland Security Efforts |
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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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