FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug 21, 2009

Washington DC – The Corporation for National and Community Service today announced grants to eight organizations to engage 553 new AmeriCorps members in improving lives and strengthening communities.

The members supported by these grants will teach and tutor at-risk youth, construct homes, promote health in rural and immigrant communities, expand parental involvement in schools, provide elder services, and mobilize and manage other volunteers.

The eight grants, which total $2,047,669, conclude the fiscal 2009 AmeriCorps grants competition. Three are national grants going to organizations that operate in multiple states, and the rest for groups in Alaska, Maryland, Ohio, and Wisconsin that were selected in a nationwide competition after being recommended by Governor-appointed state service commissions. A list of grants including amounts and descriptions is below.

The organizations selected today join the 259 other national and local organizations that successfully competed for 2009 AmeriCorps grants that were announced on June 3. Competition was stiff, with organizations requesting nearly twice as many member positions as were available and three times more state competitive funding than was available. (See press release and grantee list)

“AmeriCorps members give a tremendous boost to organizations that are serving our most vulnerable citizens and communities– especially during tough economic times,” said Nicola Goren, Acting CEO of the Corporation. “As the economy drives up the demand for social services, AmeriCorps members and the volunteers they mobilize are a vital resource to meet immediate community needs and bring about lasting change.”

Together with other positions in AmeriCorps State and National, VISTA, and NCCC, today's announcement puts AmeriCorps on track to support nearly 75,000 members through regular fiscal 2009 funding. An additional 13,000 one-time positions were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, allowing AmeriCorps to support the largest class in its 16-year existence.

The extra positions come as AmeriCorps continues to experience skyrocketing application rates. During the previous 9 months (Nov. 2008 – July 2009), AmeriCorps received 177,099 online applications, a 203 percent increase or 118,686 more applications above the 58,413 applications received during the same 9 month period a year ago. The increase is being fueled by a “compassion boom” of Americans wanting to help their neighbors in tough times, a bleak job market, increased interest in public service by millennials and boomers, and an “Obama effect” of people responding to the President's call to service.

AmeriCorps members serve with more than 4,100 nonprofit, faith-based, and community groups each year, helping them expand their reach and better meet their mission. Most of the positions announced today will be available starting in the fall. Interested individuals can learn about available opportunities and submit an online application by visiting AmeriCorps.gov.

AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. Each year, the Corporation engages four million Americans of all ages and backgrounds through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

Additional 2009 AmeriCorps State and National Grants

Today the Corporation for National and Community Service is announcing eight AmeriCorps grants totaling $2,047,669 to support 553 AmeriCorps members. The grants, which are part of the 2009 AmeriCorps competition, include five AmeriCorps State grants and three AmeriCorps National grants and are listed below.

AmeriCorps State: A total of $1,107,062 will support 315 members serving in five organizations:

  • Rural Alaska Community Action Program, based in Anchorage, will receive $126,709 to support 8 members who will motivate and educate youth and other volunteers to promote health and wellness in rural communities throughout Alaska through the Building Initiatives in Rural Community Health program.
         
  • Teach For America will receive $319,360 to support 160 AmeriCorps members serving as classroom teachers in underserved schools in Baltimore, Md.
         
  • Ohio State University Research Foundation, based in Columbus, will receive $199,992 to support OSU Kids Corps, which will engage 90 members to work with preschoolers to develop pre-literacy skills and foster and encourage parents' involvement with their children's education.
         
  • Milwaukee Christian Center YouthBuild program will receive $163,800 to support 25 AmeriCorps members whose service will include housing rehabilitation and construction; trail construction, and training to assist in recovery and/or preparation for disasters.
         
  • North Central Community Action Program, based in Wausau, Wis., will receive $297,201 to support 32 AmeriCorps members who will serve at elementary and high schools and at nonprofits in Wausau to provide tutoring and mentoring services for at-risk youth.

AmeriCorps National: A total of $940,607 will support 238 members who will serve in three programs that operate in multiple states:

  • America SCORES, based in New York City, will receive $387,751 for its Up2Us Coach for America program to place 98 members in low-income communities across the country to create opportunities for youth deprived of athletic activities to engage in safe, structured, monitored sports teams to learn the positive values associated with athletics and to combat the childhood obesity epidemic.
         
  • The Foundation for Long Term Care, based in Albany N.Y., will receive $312,826 to support 50 AmeriCorps members who will recruit volunteers in New York and Connecticut for elder care facilities and provide resources to help residents in senior housing age in place and to increase the retention of new staff in elder care entities through its AmeriCorps Elder Services program.
         
  • Temple University's Project SHINE, based in Philadelphia, will receive $240,030 to support 90 AmeriCorps members to addresses health literacy needs of elders, elderly immigrants and refugees through service learning, civic engagement, and tutoring.

AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.