|
-----
The Corporation held a briefing call and question and answer session about AmeriCorps Funding Opportunities for VSO's and Organizations Serving Veterans & Military Families on Wednesday, November 18, 2009.
To listen to or download a recording of the call, please click here.
-----
The Corporation for National and Community Service has long placed a high priority on both serving the needs of veterans through service, and engaging veterans themselves in service to others.
Research shows that connecting veterans to volunteer service helps them transition back to civilian life—and veterans have much to give back to their communities. The Corporation is actively conducting and developing service projects that tap into the expertise and interest of our men and women in uniform who are leaving active duty but still want to serve their country in important ways.
Expanding Service Opportunities for Veterans
The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act authorizes the Corporation to establish a Veterans Corps under its AmeriCorps program to engage more veterans in service and to help put their skills to work to address the pressing needs of local communities. In August, the agency funded two Veterans Corps pilot programs established by Washington Commission for National and Community Service:
- The Washington State Veterans Corps Pilot Program engages 32 AmeriCorps members in a one-year project that addresses the unmet needs of military families and support victims of Traumatic Brain Injuries.
- The Veterans Navigation and Coordination Corps Pilot Program engages 10 AmeriCorps members to serve new veterans on college campuses by helping them navigate the higher education system and take full advantage of the benefits they are entitled to under the GI Bill.
Teaming Up with Veterans Organizations
The Corporation is leading President Barack Obama’s United We Serve (UWS) initiative, which has made serving veterans and military families one of its key priorities.
- UWS collaborates with nearly 50 organizations to help promote volunteer opportunities with veterans, for veterans and by veterans, including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans.
- UWS worked with veterans organizations and volunteers to prepare care packages for service members deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan; fly World War II veterans across the country to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC; and distributes books and other items to children of military families.
Serving Those Who Have Served
Through its programs, the Corporation has impacted the lives of tens of thousands of veterans and military families and effectively leveraged their passion for serving this nation to transform local communities across the country.
- More than 8,000 Senior Corps participated in over 500 projects based at 703 Veterans Administration facilities annually. These volunteers assist frail elderly veterans, help military retirees acclimate to life after active duty, and provide transportation to veterans in need of medical treatment.
- AmeriCorps VISTAs serving with the United Way of Augusta, Georgia, are assisting veterans, active duty military and their families, including helping veterans navigate the higher education system.
- AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps members help to lead “Stand Down” events throughout the country and provide a variety of services, including employment counseling and emergency medical care to homeless and needy veterans.
- Students in the Learn and Serve America program conduct interviews with veterans as part of oral history projects on their war-time experience and to preserve their memories for future generations.
- The Corporation partnered with the American Legion Auxiliary to put new AmeriCorps VISTAS in local chapters to recruit volunteers to help alleviate poverty among veterans and their families.
- Nearly 13,000 veterans have served as AmeriCorps members. The Corporation will initiate new programs under the Serve America Act to engage veterans in its core programs and increase efforts to serve with organizations that address veterans’ needs.
AmeriCorps Funding Opportunities for VSO's and
Organizations Serving Veterans & Military Families |
AmeriCorps programs recruit and place individuals in communities to meet educational, public safety, human, or environmental needs. Eligible applicants include faith-based and secular non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, state education agencies, Indian tribes, and local government entities including counties and cities.
Veterans initiatives are of particular interest in this year’s grant competition. If your organization has a history of serving unmet needs of veterans, active duty service members, and family members of deployed military personnel and/or engages veterans in service, you are encouraged to apply for AmeriCorps funding to expand your current efforts. Interested organizations can complete an online tool called the Fit Finder to determine which AmeriCorps grant is most appropriate. The Fit Finder may be accessed at: http://www.americorps.gov/fitfinder/index.html.
Funding available through AmeriCorps can assist with expenses such as program staffing, supplies, and training of staff and members. Some AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive a living allowance and depending on the type of a grant you apply for, funds provided can pay for a portion of the member’s living allowance as well. Each member is eligible for an Eli Segal education award upon the successful completion of term of service. The education award can be used for future educational expenses or repayment of student loans.
Funding Sources
There are multiple sources of funding to support AmeriCorps program development and operation.
If the AmeriCorps program you are considering will operate solely within one state, contact the state service commission for the state to find out about specific application deadlines and assistance. To find your state commission, please visit http://www.americorps.gov/about/contact/statecommission.asp.
If the AmeriCorps program will operate in two or more states or will be sponsored by an Indian Tribe or an organization controlled or sanctioned by a tribe, please visit http://www.americorps.gov/for_organizations/apply/national.asp, call 202-606-7508, or email americorpsnational@cns.gov for additional information or if you have questions.
Additional Information
|
