FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jul 15, 2022

Five national service agency programs support clean energy, affordable housing, clean water and workforce development

WASHINGTON, D.C.– AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, announced today that five of the agency’s programs are included in the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water and other investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, overburdened and underserved.

“AmeriCorps firmly believes that climate change is not just an environmental issue, it is also an economic and racial equity issue,” said AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith. “The Justice40 Initiative will bolster our environmental conservation efforts, provide pathways to clean jobs and increase housing in communities that need it most.”

AmeriCorps programs that traditionally provide environmental conservation services to underserved communities are among the dozens across federal agencies to be included in the White House initiative. This list includes:

Since the establishment of the Justice40 Initiative in President Biden’s  Executive Order on “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad” and consistent with the interim guidance, AmeriCorps reviewed programs for inclusion in the historic initiative. More information about other projects released across the Biden-Harris Administration can be found at WhiteHouse.Gov/EnvironmentalJustice.

AmeriCorps has provided significant funding to support conservation, renewable energy and community resilience projects for almost three decades. In 2021, 16,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers improved more than 400,000 acres of parks and public lands; treated 14,500 miles of trails or rivers; weatherized or retrofitted more than 7,000 homes or public structures; protected or restored nearly 1,000 structures after natural disasters; and provided environmental stewardship education and training to more than 200,00 individuals. Read more about AmeriCorps’ work on climate.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/serve