FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct 12, 2022

45 national service members spent two months addressing community needs in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties 

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In response to Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s major disaster declaration on Monday, Aug. 8 following severe thunderstorms, AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, deployed a response team as a part of a $244,000 FEMA mission assignment request for additional capacity throughout St. Louis and St. Charles counties.

An AmeriCorps incident command team along with 45 AmeriCorps members serving with Volunteer Iowa, AmeriCorps St. Louis, Texas Conservation Corps, Habitat for Humanity Iowaand Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa arrived to provide flood relief services including mucking and gutting, debris removal, mold suppression, and community need assessments in response to the devastating flooding. The AmeriCorps teams served more than more than 4,000 hours assisting more than 30 survivors in the community.

Expertly trained crews, the AmeriCorps Disaster Response teams regularly serve in national disaster response efforts by supporting shelter operations, call centers, volunteer and donation management, muck and gut operations, blue-roof tarping and debris cleanup, among other services. Missouri flood response also included early deployments of AmeriCorps members who serve in the NCCC program, including FEMA Corps, an innovative partnership between the agency and FEMA, to enhance the nation’s disaster response and recovery capacity while expanding career opportunities for young people.

“American unity is never more evident than after a disaster when people set aside differences to tackle the pressing challenges our communities face,” said AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith. “Often the last to leave disaster sites, AmeriCorps is dedicated to standing with those affected by extreme weather during the recovery process. Our thoughts remain with Missourians whose homes and livelihoods have been affected and we will continue to support these communities as we transition our efforts from disaster response to long-term recovery.”

Following a disaster, national service acts as a force multiplier, providing key resources and significantly expanding the capacity of existing organizations on the ground. AmeriCorps programs like NCCC are often involved in disaster recovery for many months to years after the initial disaster. Since 2017, AmeriCorps has had teams on the ground to help Texas communities rebuild after Hurricane Harvey. From forest fires and floods to hurricanes and tornadoes, to terror attacks and oil spills, AmeriCorps members have provided critical support to millions of Americans affected by disasters since 1994.

AmeriCorps urges anyone who wants to get involved to seek volunteer opportunities following the disaster. For those interested in national service opportunities in emergency management, visit AmeriCorps.Gov/Serve. To learn more about AmeriCorps disaster response, visit AmeriCorps.Gov/DisasterServices

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 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. 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.