Sen. Mikulski, Mayor Rawlings-Blake Open New AmeriCorps Campus in Baltimore

New facility will serve Maryland, and 13 other states and territories

BALTIMORE, Md.  – Civic leaders, elected officials, and community groups joined together today to open the doors of the new AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) Atlantic Region Campus at the former Sacred Heart of Mary School in Baltimore.

AmeriCorps NCCC, which is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), engages more than 2,000 individuals aged 18 to 24 each year. These AmeriCorps NCCC members address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, conservation, and urban and rural development. The Baltimore-based campus now serves as a training facility for members who will serve in Maryland and 13 other states and territories.

CNCS CEO Wendy Spencer and AmeriCorps NCCC Director José Phillips joined Sen. Barbara Mikulski, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and other invited guests in opening the new site. The leaders recognized Archbishop William Lori, Father George Gannon of the Scared Heart of Mary Parish, and Sister Katherine Corr – all of whom played key roles in making the campus a reality.

"AmeriCorps members are unflagging, unflinching and determined to make a difference. They tackle the toughest problems in our communities, responding to emergency and disaster situations like superstorms and hurricanes. They mentor our children and care for our elderly," Senator Mikulski said. "I fought to create AmeriCorps, I fought to strengthen AmeriCorps, and I'm proud to dedicate this new NCCC campus to establish an even stronger AmeriCorps program in Baltimore. By partnering with our faith-based community to bring the NCCC to the Sacred Heart of Mary, we are continuing in a tradition of working together towards a common purpose to meet a compelling human need. The NCCC is transforming communities and building a new generation of duty-driven volunteers committed to helping their neighbors."

"On behalf of the people of Baltimore, I'm proud to welcome AmeriCorps to this great city," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "The new campus will allow for more young people to serve in AmeriCorps NCCC. Like rays of sunshine, they will provide warmth and hope for our neighbors along the East Coast."

“We thank Senator Mikulski, Mayor Rawlings-Blake, Archbishop Lori, and other partners for helping to bring this campus to Baltimore,” Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service said. “AmeriCorps NCCC members refurbish inner-city schools, construct trails in national parks, and help communities affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy rebuild. When these young leaders go into a community, they become part of that community. I assure you that Baltimore will be proud of what future AmeriCorps NCCC teams accomplish in Maryland and other states as a result of the training they receive at this new campus.”

Renovations began in early 2013 and the campus saw its first members this fall.  In the new location, the program anticipates it could house as many as 240 members, including AmeriCorps NCCC members serving with FEMA Corps, a first for the Atlantic Region campus.

The Atlantic Region Campus serves 11 states – Conn., Del., Mass., Md., Maine, N.H., N.J., N.Y., Pa., R.I., and Vt. in addition to D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Previous project sponsors in Baltimore include: Academy of Success Charter School, Alima Institute, Baltimore City Public Schools, Blue Water Baltimore, City Neighbors Charter Schools, Choice Program, First Robotics, Movable Feast, Parks & People Founding, and Rebuilding Together Baltimore.