$138,600 AmeriCorps Grant Funds Tutor, Mentor Positions In Overton County

June 1, 2007, LIVINGSTON – Part of a $138,600 AmeriCorps State Competitive grant will fund staffing for tutoring and mentoring at-risk children in Overton County, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon announced today.

“The AmeriCorps Partners Achieving School Success, or PASS program, improves academic performance for high-risk students by providing tutors in math and reading,” Gordon said. “PASS AmeriCorps members also serve as mentors by engaging students in community service projects and developing youth leadership.”

Rural county school systems, such as the Overton County Board of Education, partner with the Upper Cumberland Community Services Agency to provide similar programs.

“Our program places members to tutor and mentor at-risk children in Overton County,” Wanda Livers, AmeriCorps PASS director for UCCSA, said. “Our members also perform service projects, like painting a climbing wall at Rickman Elementary School in Overton County. We’re proud of the work they do.”

USCCSA services four counties, Cannon, Fentress, Overton and Van Buren, in the Upper Cumberland.

The grant will fund 25 positions. Each AmeriCorps member who completes 1,700 hours of service will earn an educational award of $4,725 payable to a qualified educational institution or lender.