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Washington, D.C. - The Corporation for National and Community Service today announced $83 million in second- and third-year grants that will support 24,439 AmeriCorps members to serve their communities and country during the 2007-08 program year.
Upon completion of their service, the members supported by these 155 grants will collectively be able to receive more than $62 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards to help pay for college or to pay back student loans. A complete list of grantees, amounts awarded, and the numbers of AmeriCorps members to be supported is available at http://www.americorps.gov/about/newsroom/releases_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=673.
"In communities across the country, our dedicated AmeriCorps members will be serving with some of the strongest groups in the nonprofit world,” said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation, which administers AmeriCorps. “By investing in these organizations for another year, we’re building stronger, healthier, and safer communities and putting another generation of AmeriCorps members on a lifelong path of service and civic involvement.”
AmeriCorps members serve through hundreds of community and faith-based organizations and tackle our nation’s toughest problems. Among many other activities, they teach, tutor, and mentor disadvantaged students, build homes, provide shelter and health care, assist people with disabilities, help communities respond to disasters, restore parks and trails, and mobilize volunteers to meet vital community needs.
The grants announced today will expand the number and effectiveness of American volunteers, a key goal of the Corporation’s five-year strategic plan. AmeriCorps has put greater emphasis on volunteer leveraging in recent years, and it continues to be a highly effective “force-multiplier.” Last year AmeriCorps State and National members recruited, trained, and managed more than 858,000 community volunteers. The grants will support the agency’s other strategic goals: ensuring a brighter future for all of America’s youth; engaging students in communities; and harnessing Baby Boomers’ experience.
The continuation grants represent only part of the grants to be made this year by AmeriCorps. In total, the fiscal year 2007 budget for AmeriCorps will support approximately 75,000 positions, most of which will be available starting in the fall. Interested individuals can learn about available opportunities and submit an online application by visiting http://www.americorps.gov.
"Whether you are graduating from college or high school, taking time off from school, or changing careers, AmeriCorps is a great way to get skills and college aid while making a difference for your community," said AmeriCorps Director Kristin McSwain. “There are hundreds of different ways for you to serve in AmeriCorps, but all AmeriCorps members share a common goal – improving lives, strengthening communities, and getting things done.”
Since 1994, nearly 500,000 men and women have taken AmeriCorps pledge to “get things done for America.” To mark the half-million milestone, AmeriCorps programs across the country are planning special events and service projects for the first-ever AmeriCorps Week, taking place May 13-20. The event aims to bring more Americans into service, salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible.
AmeriCorps grants typically are for three years, with annual renewals contingent on performance and availability of funds. This “continuation grant” funding announcement represents the second or third year of support to organizations currently administering an AmeriCorps program.
At the end of a successful full-time term of service, AmeriCorps members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,725 they can use to pay for college or to pay back student loans. Part-time members earn awards in pro-rated amounts. Most AmeriCorps members also receive health benefits, student loan deferment, and a living allowance to offset food and housing costs during their service.
In addition to the AmeriCorps*State and National grant program, AmeriCorps includes: AmeriCorps NCCC, a 10-month, full-time residential program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24 who carry out projects in public safety, public health, and disaster relief; and AmeriCorps VISTA, whose members help bring individuals and communities out of poverty by serving full-time to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, increase housing opportunities, and bridge the digital divide.
AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov.
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