Indiana
Receives $4.3 Million in New Funding to Support AmeriCorps Programs
INDIANAPOLIS – The
Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that
administers AmeriCorps, announced today that Indiana has received $4.3 million
in AmeriCorps funding to support nonprofit organizations across the state.
“AmeriCorps
members make a powerful impact on the toughest challenges facing our nation,”
said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.
“Building on Indiana’s strong tradition of neighbor helping neighbor,
AmeriCorps members will improve lives and strengthen communities across the Hoosier
state. While they serve others, AmeriCorps members will also expand opportunity
for themselves - gaining skills and experience to jumpstart their careers. I salute AmeriCorps members for their
dedication, and thank our outstanding partners who make their service
possible.”
The federal
investment includes seven grants totaling $1.6 million, which will support 528
AmeriCorps members. Through these grants, AmeriCorps members will support youth
development and education programs serving more than 33,000 Indiana students in
grades K-12, help expand economic opportunity, and improve disaster preparedness
in all 80 Indiana counties.
CNCS will also
provide up to $2.2 million in education scholarships for the AmeriCorps members
funded by these grants to help pay for college, vocational training, or pay
back student loans. The federal investment is projected to generate an
additional $10.5 million in local support to increase community impact and
return on federal investment.
The federal
investment announced today also includes $2.7 million for Serve Indiana, the
Governor-appointed state service commission. Later this summer, Serve Indiana
will make additional grants to support AmeriCorps programs in the state.
“Congratulations to the seven Indiana universities and
organizations receiving AmeriCorps grants,” said U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly. “These
grants will help improve the quality of life for families and help hundreds of
young Hoosiers give back to their communities through service.”
“AmeriCorps members are an indispensable resource for
nonprofits, communities, and the individuals they serve,” said Congressman
André Carson. “Community service is an essential part of the solutions to many
of the challenges Hoosiers face, and AmeriCorps members are able to bring the
country together by uniting individuals behind a common goal. I congratulate the
American Red Cross of Indiana, Public Allies, Phalen Leadership Academies of
Indiana, and Teach for America for receiving these grants, and thank all those
who have answered the call to serve by joining AmeriCorps.”
“Congratulations to the Boys and Girls Club of Wayne County
for receiving this grant. This is exciting news for the 185 AmeriCorps
Members and more than 30,000 Hoosiers they’ll serve,” said Congressman Luke
Messer. “Receiving this award during such a competitive grant cycle attests to
Project ACE’s important impact in Richmond and the surrounding
communities. I look forward to seeing the great work these men and women
will do for our children and our community through this project.”
“National
service is an essential part of the solution to many of the challenges facing
our state,” said Debbie Pidgeon, executive director of Serve Indiana. “These
AmeriCorps members will serve people who most need opportunities to improve
their life circumstances. Members develop civic and leadership skills that we
expect to last a lifetime so that they can continue to be change makers
throughout Indiana. I congratulate these
outstanding organizations and thank all those who serve their communities
through AmeriCorps.”
Below is a
listing of 2016 AmeriCorps competitive grants based in Indiana:
-
University of
Notre Dame ACE Program: In this national
program based in Indiana, AmeriCorps members will serve as teachers in
under-resourced urban and rural schools in 12 states and the District of
Columbia. AmeriCorps members will teach
more than 13,000 students and meet the critical shortage of education
professionals in high need areas. (154
AmeriCorps members)
-
Robinson
Community Learning Center AmeriCorps Program through the University of Notre
Dame: AmeriCorps members will coordinate a range of educational programs,
provide direct service, recruit/supervise volunteers, expand outreach, develop
curricula, and assist with program evaluation, at the Robinson Community
Learning Center, the Notre Dame Center for Arts and Culture (NDCAC), the YMCA
Urban Youth Services, and the OC Carmichael Boys and Girls Club. (29 AmeriCorps members)
-
Boys & Girls
Clubs of Wayne County Indiana – Project ACES: AmeriCorps
members will work with Indiana children through education, healthy lifestyles,
and character & leadership development in Boys & Girls Clubs facilities
across Indiana. (185
AmeriCorps members)
-
American Red
Cross of Indiana: AmeriCorps members will help build capacity and grow disaster
preparedness, response, and recovery in 80 Indiana counties. AmeriCorps members
will also serve on an on-call Disaster Action Team and assist with local
disaster relief operations with the potential for regional or national disaster
relief operation deployment. (25
AmeriCorps members)
-
Public Allies of
Indianapolis: AmeriCorps members will deliver capacity-building services in
15 unique organizations that are addressing educational, health, and economic
disparity throughout Indianapolis. (20
AmeriCorps members)
-
Phalen
Leadership Academies Indiana – Scholars Excel AmeriCorps Program: AmeriCorps members
will provide small group, intervention-based instruction to children in
elementary schools in high-poverty neighborhoods. AmeriCorps members will help
increase students’ math and reading proficiency, improve their knowledge of and
interest in STEM subjects and careers, and grow their self-esteem and engagement
in school. (20
AmeriCorps members)
-
Teach for
America: AmeriCorps members will teach in low-income district,
charter, and turnaround schools across Indianapolis to improve the literacy
and/or math educational outcomes for students. (95 AmeriCorps members)
AmeriCorps engages
more than 75,000 members in intensive service annually to serve through
nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations at more than 21,000
locations across the country. These members help communities tackle pressing
problems while mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they
serve.
Since
1994, nearly 1 million Americans have earned more than $3 billion in education
scholarships. Later this year, the one millionth AmeriCorps member will take
the AmeriCorps pledge, committing to ‘get things done’ for America. In Indiana,
more than 15,000 Indiana residents have served more than 20 million hours and
qualified for more than $46.1 million in education scholarships.
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