FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct 17, 2024

Photo credit: University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University’s AmeriCorps VISTA Project will receive $1.5 million to place members in positions to support sustainability and food security. 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07) joined AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith on Wednesday, October 16 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham to announce a $1.5 million award to fund the university’s AmeriCorps VISTA project. This federal award will support 18 AmeriCorps members serving with the university’s VISTA project, which is in its 10th year of operation. 

AmeriCorps members serving with UAB’s VISTA project promote civic engagement, enrich student academic learning, and strengthen and support Alabama communities. AmeriCorps members develop projects designed to increase UAB student and faculty involvement in education, public health, environmental health, and economic opportunity initiatives in collaboration with community-based organizations, especially in the Black Belt Region.

Representative Sewell and CEO Smith each delivered celebratory remarks to recognize the impact that the university’s VISTA project has had in the community over the past 10 years. The two then presented university officials with a check for $1.5 million to continue the project into the next year. AmeriCorps members serving with UAB’s partners to address food insecurity are expected to provide services to more than 4,000 individuals, low-income K-12 students, and families.

Following this presentation, the delegation toured two sites where AmeriCorps members serving with VISTA at UAB are placed: the UAB Sustainability Solar House and Blazer Kitchen. The UAB Sustainability Solar House is entirely powered by the sun and models a sustainable-energy-powered residence. It features a rainwater cistern, monarch waystation, and gardens, one of which is used to grow produce for Blazer Kitchen. Blazer Kitchen is an on-campus food pantry designed to promote food security for students and local community members. Blazer Kitchen has provided enough food for over 550,000 meals.

“Our AmeriCorps members serving with the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s VISTA project are providing critical capacity building services across Alabama’s Black Belt region,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps. “It was a joy to see our AmeriCorps members in action at two of UAB’s sites, the UAB Sustainability Solar House and Blazer Kitchen, where members are addressing some of the communities most urgent needs – energy sustainability and food security. I am delighted that we are able to continue funding this impactful program.” 

“I join in celebrating this exciting federal award and the continuing partnership between UAB and AmeriCorps,” said U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell. “We are so grateful for the resources and opportunities that this program brings to Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, and I extend my thanks to the many volunteers whose commitment to service makes it all possible!”

“The collaboration between UAB and AmeriCorps has touched countless lives throughout the local community and across the state,” said Amy Chatham, Ph.D., Executive Director for the UAB AmeriCorps VISTA Program. “This funding will help AmeriCorps members continue to provide resources, education and opportunities for years to come.”

Nationwide, AmeriCorps VISTA places individuals with nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and tribal governments to expand reach and deepen impact in making a sustainable change that alleviates the impact of poverty. Through fundraising, volunteer recruitment, program development and more, AmeriCorps members gain experience and leadership skills that put them on track for a life of service in the public, private, or nonprofit sector.

This visit comes on the heels of a report released by AmeriCorps at the conclusion of its AmeriCorps VISTA Food Security Initiative, through which the University of Alabama at Birmingham made a significant impact. The AmeriCorps members serving at this location collaborated with community partners, farmers, and food banks to identify funding opportunities, develop marketing materials and conduct outreach activities to promote food resources. In 2023 alone, members leveraged nearly $630,600 in funding and managed nearly 9,100 volunteers resulting in nearly 29,100 hours of volunteer service. Their work provided more than 4,031,200 pounds of food to more than 1,091,000 community members. 

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, 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 200,000 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. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

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.

About UAB 
Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a part of the University of Alabama System, is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center with more than $780 million in annual research expenditures and an economic impact on the state exceeding $12.1 billion a year. UAB is Alabama’s single largest employer, with some 28,000 employees, and was named Forbes’ No. 1 Large Employer in the United States in 2021. UAB enrollment surpassed 21,000 for the sixth consecutive year in fall 2023. The university offers more than 180 degree programs in nine schools and one college. The four pillars of UAB’s mission are education; research, innovation and economic development; community engagement; and patient care. Learn more at www.uab.edu.