AmeriCorps Commits to Long-Term Recovery Efforts to Help New Jersey Recover from Hurricane Sandy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) today announced new AmeriCorps resources for New Jersey to continue recovery and rebuilding operations after Hurricane Sandy.
CNCS CEO Spencer joined Rep. Jon Runyan, along with Mayor Rob Matthies of Seaside Park, NJ, and Mayor Thomas Kelaher, of Toms River, NJ, for the announcement. Together, they met with AmeriCorps members and community leaders, as well as homeowners supported by the efforts of the AmeriCorps program.
“National service bolsters disaster relief efforts,” CEO Spencer said. “We bring together businesses, nonprofits and community groups, federal agencies, state and local government, and everyday citizens to help communities that need it most. AmeriCorps members have been at the forefront of the Hurricane Sandy recovery, and I’m pleased that AmeriCorps members will continue to help New Jersey recover and rebuild for the next year.”
The agency will place approximately 100 AmeriCorps members over the next year in Sandy-affected areas of the state, a commitment valued at approximately $1.5 million dollars. Fifteen AmeriCorps VISTA members will be placed in recovery-focused organizations, and a total of eight AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) teams will deploy to the region over the next year.
“It is my privilege to welcome Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National & Community Service, to New Jersey’s Third Congressional District,” said Runyan. “As we all know, the Jersey Shore was devastated by Hurricane Sandy. The day after the storm, I witnessed Sandy’s impact first-hand. As a result, I could not be more proud of the work that has been done. There is no doubt in my mind that the tireless work of volunteers, like Linda Roberts and so many others, is the reason we can be confident that the New Jersey Shore will rebuild stronger than ever.”
A portion of the AmeriCorps VISTA members will help families regain economic stability by guiding them through the financial relief process. Additional members will work with local small businesses owners as they apply for loans through a similar process. Others will serve with Habitat for Humanity, helping homeowners rebuild their homes.
CEO Spencer joined Rep. Jon Runyan along with Mayor Rob Matthies of Seaside Park, NJ, and Mayor Thomas Kelaher, of Toms River, NJ, for the announcement. Together, they met with AmeriCorps members and community leaders, as well as homeowners supported by the efforts of the AmeriCorps program.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, CNCS and AmeriCorps joined a nation in responding to the region. More than 1,000 AmeriCorps members have been deployed to New Jersey, leveraging more than 8, 200 volunteers. Together, they’ve mucked and gutted nearly 1,500 homes to date.