Press Release- Jul 02, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MONDAY, JULY 2, 2007
Contact:
Wil Alston, 303.866.6323
GOV. RITTER ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO EXPAND WORK AND REACH OF AMERICORPS MEMBERS
Gov. Bill Ritter recently announced that several Colorado community organizations have been approved to receive more than $900,000 in grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service. The funding will be used to place 439 AmeriCorps members in communities across the state.
"Government can intersect with where people struggle, but it's the work of organizations like AmeriCorps and the grant recipients that truly make a difference," Gov. Bill Ritter said "I congratulate and applaud the organizations that will be receiving these grants and thank all those who have answered the call to service by joining AmeriCorps."
Since 1994, more than 12,565 AmeriCorps members in Colorado have provided more than 9,676,997 hours to local communities through AmeriCorps. Nationally, AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which issued some grants directly to national organizations while others were issued through governor-appointed state commissions, territories, and American Indian tribes. The Governor's Commission on Community Service in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor oversees Colorado's AmeriCorps program.
The organizations approved to receive the grants include:
- Colorado Parent & Child Foundation
- Mile High Youth Corps
- Colfax Community Network
- Colorado You Corps Association
- Goals, Inc
- Partners in Routt County
- Saguache United Methodist Church
"The organizations being funded are tackling some of the most pressing problems in our nation," said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation, which administers AmeriCorps. "I salute them for rising to the top in a highly competitive year and wish them the best as they increase their reach and impact through the infusion of dedicated AmeriCorps members."
Nationally, the $90.9 million in grants announced will support 27,818 AmeriCorps members in 167 programs and are only part of the awards to be made this year by AmeriCorps. In total, the fiscal year 2007 budget for AmeriCorps will support 75,000 positions, the majority of which are awarded through state service commissions. Most of the positions will be available starting in the fall. Interested individuals can learn about opportunities and submit an application by visiting www.americorps.gov.
AmeriCorps Members earn an AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,725 that they can use to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans at the end of a successful fulltime term of service. Most AmeriCorps Members also receive health benefits, student loan deferments, and a living allowance to offset food and housing costs during their term of service.
For more information on AmeriCorps and other programs of the Colorado Governor's Commission on Community Service, visit www.colorado.gov/gccs