National Service in the News for Friday, June 2, 2017 through Monday, June 5, 2017.
New federal funding supports elementary
school reading
Associated Press, June 2, 2017
A large portion of nearly $1 million in new federal funding for AmeriCorps
volunteer activities in North Dakota is directed to helping grade school
children with reading. Activities supported by the funding include the Reading
Corps program. Fifty-three AmeriCorps volunteers will provide reading assistance
for students at elementary schools in Bismarck, Fargo, Jamestown, Hazen,
Mandan, Northern Cass, and West Fargo. The federal funds filter through the
Corporation for National and Community Service, the agency which administers
AmeriCorps.
City
Continues Effort to Raise Drug Awareness and Education
Area Info (AZ), June 1, 2017
Titled “Don’t Meth With Yuma,” this anti-methamphetamine and anti-heroin effort
was launched under Yuma Mayor Douglas J. Nicholls’ leadership and continues
efforts to educate community members in the greater Yuma area about the dangers
of drug addiction and resources that can help those needing treatment. Grant
funding from the Tohono O’odham Nation allowed Don’t Meth With Yuma to kick off
by engaging community leaders, stakeholders and a variety of organizations to
collaborate on future strategies to educate Yuma residents and raise awareness.
Since receiving the grant in 2015, the City of Yuma, YPD, and AmeriCorps have
raised awareness via billboard advertising; through Don’t Meth With Yuma
advertisements shown in theaters; by distributing English and Spanish
educational pamphlets; and by filming and producing a video shedding light on
the methamphetamine addiction problem and resources that exist to connect Yuma
residents with treatment options.
When
there’s no school lunch in St. Louis, food vans help fill the gap
The St. Louis Today (MO), June 5, 2017
Operation Food Search is launching an expanded summer program this week,
providing free meals to children who would normally eat breakfast and lunch at
school. Some of the meals will come from food truck-like vans. Starting Monday
and continuing through Aug. 11, program leaders plan to distribute more than
100,000 meals to hungry children in St. Louis and St. Louis County, exceeding
last year’s record. The summer program, now in its sixth year, has grown from
providing 5,000 meals in 2012, Executive Director Sunny Schaefer said. About 15
percent of the meals given out last summer were from food vans, a concept that
had not previously been tried in St. Louis.
West
Virginia receives more than $5.4 million in AmeriCorps funding
The Register Herald (WV), June 3, 2017
West Virginia has been awarded more than $5.4 million in AmeriCorps funding
from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal
agency for volunteering and service programs. “West Virginians are known for
joining together and supporting our neighbors,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito,
R-W.Va. “These AmeriCorps awards will
continue important efforts that have helped many communities, students and
families throughout the state. Perhaps no effort stood out more than the work
and commitment to help West Virginia recover from last year’s devastating
floods, which continues through grants like these.” Of the new funding,
$4,091,491 will be awarded to Volunteer West Virginia, the governor-appointed
State Service Commission. This funding will support and engage a total of 655
AmeriCorps members.
AmeriCorps Organizations in Illinois to
Share $15 Million
Associated Press, June 2, 2017
Volunteer organizations around Illinois will be getting more than $15 million
in federal grant money. In a news release, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and
Dick Durbin of Illinois announced that the additional funding for 16
Illinois-based AmeriCorps organizations will come from the Corporation for
National and Community Service. The money will go both for the programs
themselves and for education awards to help AmeriCorps members pay for college
when they have completed their community service. The money will go for
programs all across Illinois, from Chicago to East St. Louis. The programs
address such issues as literacy, disaster relief, and hunger.
Appalachian
Forest Heritage Area Seeking AmeriCorps Members
WBOY-TV (WV), June 2, 2017
The Appalachian Forest Heritage Area is seeking new AmeriCorps service members.
The group has just received financing for 40 new members and looks forward to
the growing opportunities in several beneficial areas. After a year-long commitment service members
receive an education award of $5,800 toward furthering their education or
toward student loan repayment. “We have program opportunities in conservation,
both in field work and education and outreach, in community development helping
improve our rural communities, in cultural and heritage development and
tourism,” says Program Director Phyllis Baxter.
Paterson
children excited to get new playground
The Record (NJ), June 3, 2017
Daniel Cobar started performing community service in his hometown when he was a
high school student involved in events like Earth Day cleanups. Nine years
later, Cobar was directing a crew of 130 co-workers from the AvalonBay
Communities real estate firm on Wednesday as they built a new playground at
School 3 on Main Street. “I’m grateful for this opportunity,” said Cobar. “It’s
great to see success in the city of Paterson rather than just what’s seen in
the news.” The playground project was a partnership between AvalonBay and a Paterson-based
non-profit organization, the New Jersey Community Development Corp. (NJCDC). As
a teenager, Cobar had been part of NJCDC’s youth corps and later was a member
of the group’s AmeriCorps program.
West
Virginia to Get $5.4 Million in AmeriCorps Funding
Associated Press, June 2, 2017
West Virginia's U.S. senators say the state has been awarded more than $5.4
million for AmeriCorps volunteer and service programs. According to Sens.
Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin, $4.1 million will go to the state's
Volunteer West Virginia to support 655 positions. The AmeriCorps members in
West Virginia can also get more than $1.3 million in post-service awards to
help pay for college or repay student loans. Designated funding is for 510
positions through West Virginia University to provide summer learning and
nutrition services, 40 through Appalachian Forest Heritage Area to work and
recruit volunteers for conservation and community projects in Appalachian
towns, 35 through The Education Alliance to provide mentoring and 70 to work
under the United Way of West Virginia on community service projects.
Klobuchar, Franken Announces $36 Million in
AmeriCorps Funding for Minnesota
KXRA-TV (MN), June 2, 2017
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken today announced that Minnesota has
received nearly $25 million in AmeriCorps funding. The grants are from the
Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency for
service initiatives and volunteering. In addition to the grants, AmeriCorps
members will also receive post-service Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards
totaling over $11 million to help pay for college or student loans. “AmeriCorps
members represent the best of Minnesota—they see the challenges facing our
communities and they face them with action, by getting to work to improve the
lives of their neighbors and strengthen their communities across our state,”
Klobuchar said.
Connecticut
Announces Nearly $4M for AmeriCorps Funding
WAMC-FM (CT), June 1, 2017
Connecticut’s Congressional delegation has announced nearly $4 million in
funding for AmeriCorps members in the state. The funding includes four grants
totaling roughly $920,000 for 217 AmeriCorps members, including the Connecticut
branches of FoodCorps, Teach For America, Public Allies and Mental Health First
Aid Corps. They will also be awarded about $1.7 million from the Connecticut
Commission on Community Service, the governor-appointed state service
commission.
Project
Transformation returns to aid challenge of elementary children
The El Reno Tribune (OK), June 3, 2017
Project Transformation El Reno is an intensive summer program designed to
meet the unique challenges of elementary children who need academic assistance
and support to address learning gaps, particularly in reading. Through a grant from Americorps and a
partnership with Wesley United Methodist Church, students in the El Reno school
district who will be in first through fifth grades next year are identified as
eligible to participate in a PT camp atmosphere. Project Transformation’s collaborative model
harnesses the creative energy and leadership of college-age young adults to
lead summer programs in nine Oklahoma communities.
Ole
Miss College Corps awarded federal funds
The Oxford Eagle (MS), June 2, 2017
Students will continue to benefit from more one-on-one instruction in school
and in after-school programs, thanks to federal grants. The Corporation for
National and Community Service is awarding $5 million to five programs in
Mississippi, including $2.26 million in state competitive funding and $1.19
million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Award funding. Another $1.5 million was
approved for Volunteer Mississippi, the state’s service commission, to support
AmeriCorps education programs. Locally, the University of Mississippi College
Corps will receive $168,000 to support academic assistance for disadvantaged
preschool to fourth-grade students in Oxford and surrounding communities.
Connecticut
to benefit from $3.9 million in AmeriCorps funds
The Associated Press, June 3, 2017
Connecticut will be the beneficiary of $3.9 million in federal funding for
AmeriCorps, the national community service program. The state’s congressional
delegation says the funding includes four grants totaling $920,090. That’s
enough to support 217 AmeriCorps members working in the state. The Corporation
for National and Community Service is also providing up to $1.2 million in
education scholarships for AmeriCorps members. The scholarships help pay for
the members’ college or vocational training or to repay student loans.
AmeriCorps
Members Lend Their Hands During Habitat for Humanity Build-a-Thon
Press Release, June 2, 2017
As part of Habitat for Humanity’s annual AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon event, more
than 350 Habitat AmeriCorps members and alumni will travel to select cities in
May and June, to build, repair and landscape 22 homes. For 18 years, AmeriCorps
members have come together each year to engage communities and volunteers in
blitz builds. This year, Build-a-Thon participants will work alongside Habitat
homeowners on projects in Iowa, May 16-20 and June 12-16, and in Colorado, June
5-9.
Refuel
Topeka network to provide summer meal sites for kids
The Topeka Capital-Journal (KS), June 3, 2017
Keeping children fed during the summer is the goal of a network of
organizations that teamed up Saturday for the “Refuel Topeka” event in central
Topeka. “We decided to do what we do really well, and that is to spread the
word,” said Monique Glaude, division director of community engagement for the
city of Topeka. “It doesn’t matter about the socioeconomic status of a family,
what matters is that we provide every child the opportunity to have either
breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack during the summertime. We are ecstatic to
be part of such a great venture.” Glaude said Refeul Topeka is a collaboration
funded through the national Choosing Healthy Appetizing Meal Plan Solutions, or
CHAMPS, grant recently awarded to the city of Topeka.
City
of Peoria receives thousands from multimillion dollar federal funding grant
WMBD-TV (IL), June 2, 2017
Peoria is one of sixteen AmeriCorps organizations in Illinois to receive
federal grant funding. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin announced over
$15 million in grant funding from the Corporation for National and Community
Service. Peoria will receive over $138,000 in program funding. It's also
getting over $58,000 in education awards. The money will help pay for college
after members complete their service.
What
the U.S. Loses if Trump Eliminates AmeriCorps
Fortune, June 4, 2017
The White House last month proposed its first federal budget, which would cut
programs for the nation’s poor and vulnerable. Among the reductions in
services, there is one particular measure that signals a troubling shift in
priorities: The budget proposes to eliminate the Corporation for National and
Community Service (CNCS), which runs the AmeriCorps program, and to provide
funding only for the corporation’s orderly shutdown. As cost-conscious leaders
of Fortune 500 companies, we have to disagree. We know a good deal when we see
one, and the CNCS is a good deal. This is why we’ve donated to AmeriCorps
programs such as College Possible.
Peters
Announces $11.4 Million in Support for Michigan AmeriCorps Programs
Press Release, June 1, 2017
Senator Gary Peters today announced that Michigan has received $11.4 million in
AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service
(CNCS), the federal agency for volunteering and service programs. “Citizen
service is an indispensable resource for nonprofits, communities and the
individuals they serve, and essential to solving problems that face Michigan
and the United States,” said Senator Peters. “The AmeriCorps funding provided
by the Corporation for National and Community Service will help support
programs that bolster education, public safety and health care across our
state.” The investment includes 14 grants totaling $4.6 million, which will
support 671 AmeriCorps members.
AHDC
hosts Community Garden Project
Recent News, June 3, 2017
The Arkansas Department of Human Services recently received a grant from
AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps to design, build and harvest
community gardens at each of the Human Development Centers. This is a joint
project with the Arkansas Department of Human Services and partner groups, including
Heifer International, Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and University of
Arkansas Cooperative Extension, local 4-H Clubs and local Master Gardeners.
AmeriCorps is scheduled to arrive and begin work at the Arkadelphia Human
Development Center on June 12, 2017.
$15
million of AmeriCorps funding headed to Illinois
WREX-TV (IL), June 1, 2017
Over $15 million in grant funding is announced for AmeriCorps programs in
Illinois. U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, both democrats,
announced the funding boost Thursday morning. Nearly $200,000 is earmarked for
programming at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon. Both senators say the
funding is necessary. AmeriCorps provide
a number of services from helping to rebuild after natural disasters to
teaching children in need.
NC
Land Conservancies Work to Create New Trails
Public News Service, June 2, 2017
Near-perfect weather is expected in most of North Carolina this weekend, and
thousands will take advantage of the state's multiple hiking opportunities. One
of the newest trails to try out is the Brushy Face Trail, the result of a land
donation to the Highland Cashiers Land Trust. The trail connects the Brushy
Face Preserve with the Satulah Mountain Preserve, and has its official grand
opening Saturday. Gary Wein, executive director of the land trust says trail
construction has been a labor of love for the group's AmeriCorps volunteer.
"A lot of times, trails are built with machinery these days, but in this
particular case it was all built by hand," he says. "It was all built
with volunteer labor, and the person who pulled this all off and coordinated
the volunteers was our AmeriCorps member."
Vermont
Receives $3 Million in Federal Funding for AmeriCorps
WFFF-TV (VT), June 1, 2017
ermont's congressional delegation announced the Green Mountain State has
received $3 million in Americorps funding, including grants to support 191 AmeriCorps
members. "AmeriCorps continues to make an enormous impact on the lives of
people in Vermont and throughout the United States. We are pleased these funds
will allow volunteers to continue to do this important work," said a joint
statement from Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)
and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.). In addition to $1.6 million in grants
to support the AmeriCorps members, the federal funding from the Corporation for
National and Community Service also includes $743,628 in educational
scholarships for AmeriCorps members and $644,642 for the Vermont Commission on
National and Community Service.
Senator
Hirono Announces $4.2 Million in AmeriCorps Funding for Hawaii
Press Release, June 2, 2017
Senator Hirono today announced that Hawaii has received $4.2 million in
AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service
(CNCS), the federal agency for volunteering and service programs. The federal
investment includes three grants totaling $2 million, which will support 490
AmeriCorps members. AmeriCorps members in Hawaii serve as educators in
high-needs schools, provide legal services for low-income families, and engage
in environmental stewardship and conservation. CNCS will also provide up to
$1.5 million in education scholarships for the AmeriCorps members to help pay
for college, vocational training, or pay back student loans.
AmeriCorps
gives art center a lift
The Daily Mail (NY), June 2, 2017
AmeriCorps volunteers are helping to rebuild the Prattsville Art Center in the
wake of Tropical Storm Irene, which devastated the town in 2011. The volunteers
have been in the area for three weeks and will continue to work for another two
weeks, Art Center Director Nancy Barton said Wednesday. Barton applied for a
grant through AmeriCorps, which was recommended by Community Action of Greene
County. Barton said the volunteers have built new rooms and used a table saw,
where they never have before, she said. "They’ve learned a lot more on
this job than on other jobs," Barton said. "They’re doing some really
ambitious things."
Cochran,
Wicker Announces $5 Million for Mississippi
Press Release, June 1, 2017
U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today announced
$5.0 million in AmeriCorps grants to support tutorial and mentor programs in
Mississippi. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is
awarding $5.0 million between five programs in Mississippi, including $2.26
million in state competitive funding and $1.19 million in Segal AmeriCorps
Education Award funding. Another $1.5
million was approved for Volunteer Mississippi, the state’s service commission,
to support AmeriCorps education programs.
Serve
as an AmeriCorps VISTA member
The Morning AG Clips (SD), June 4, 2017
SDSU Extension is currently recruiting AmeriCorps members to serve full-time
in: Aberdeen, Lemmon, Mitchell, Sioux Falls, Watertown and other South Dakota
communities. “AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) service
members will work with SDSU Extension staff to increase knowledge of and access
to physical and financial health and wellness techniques in effort to bring
economically disadvantaged South Dakotans out of poverty,” said Aimee House
Ladonski, SDSU Extension Volunteer Development Field Specialist.
Service
to community is priority
The Minot Daily News (ND), June 5, 2017
Shannon Straight considers himself to have a strong sense of what some might
call idealism. Whatever the mindset is labeled, Straight just knows he wants to
contribute something to his community. He’s decided giving of his time is the
best way for him to do that. His parents taught him a strong work ethic, he
said, and he wants to apply his efforts toward something he is passionate
about. Last year, he ran successfully for the Minot City Council, and he is one
of nine candidates vying for six seats on a new city council in the June 13
election. “I can’t live here and not do what I can to make Minot a better
place,” he said.
Aislinn
Wright joins environmental group
The Brunswick News (GA), June 5, 2017
Aislinn Wright recently joined the Glynn Environmental Coalition (GEC) recently
as its new project manager in training. “We are excited by the skills and
enthusiasm she brings to the GEC,” said Pamela Tillman, GEC President. “Much of
my background has been in environmental education,” Wright said. “I served for
a year as an Americorps Education Member at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, and
most recently I was an environmental educator at Camp Jekyll, a University of
Georgia 4-H camp.” Wright brings a number of skills, education and experiences
to the GEC programs to preserve, protect, and restore coastal Georgia. Her
notable internships include service projects with Glynn County GIS, St. Simons
Land Trust, Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center.
Senior
citizens serve as companions, mentors through Appalachian Senior Programs
The Watauga Democrat (NC), June 3, 2017
Thanks to the Appalachian Senior Programs, senior citizens in the High Country
are volunteering to meet the needs of their neighbors. Through the Appalachian
Senior Companion Program and the Appalachian Foster Grandparent Program, area
senior citizens assist some of the region’s youngest and oldest residents in
five counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Watauga and Wilkes. Dr. Ed Folts, a
sociology professor at Appalachian State University and executive director of
the two programs, oversees the federal and local grants that fund both
programs. The federal funding comes from the Corporation for National and
Community Service: a $248,985 grant funds the Appalachian Senior Companion
Program and a $375,396 grant funds the Appalachian Foster Grandparent Program.
Beloved
Foster Grandparent program could see federal ax
The Hungry Horse News (MT), June 2, 2017
At North Valley Head Start, Carol Ott – Grandma Carol, as she’s familiarly
known – spreads care and love daily among students and teachers. She fulfills a
support role, there to boost children’s spirits if they’re having a hard day or
just need a hug. Ott is part of the Foster Grandparent Program, which offers
people age 55 and older the opportunity to mentor and tutor children. For her
work, she gets a stipend of $2.68 per hour. Head Start isn’t just about
preschool support, but about a whole community network, and having Grandma
Carol completes the multi-generational school family, site supervisor Lucy Beltz
noted. Beltz is a graduate student in Early Childhood Education Leadership at
the University of Montana. As the supervisor for Head Start, she sees firsthand
the importance of foster grandparents.
Proclamation
recognizes seniors
The Sparta Live (TN), June 3, 2017
The LBJ&C Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and the LBJ&C Foster
Grandparent Program recently met with Sparta Mayor Jeff Young and White County
Executive Denny Wayne Robinson for the signing of a proclamation recognizing
the RSVP and FGP for all that they do for the City of Sparta and White County.
Hogan
to Partner with Harvard’s Government Performance Lab
The Calvert Beacon (MD), June 4, 2017
Maryland was recently selected as a finalist by the Government Performance Lab
at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in the Lab’s 2017 national
competition to receive funding from the Social Innovation Fund, a program of
the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that works
with local partners to help Americans improve the lives of their fellow
citizens through service. Out of 27 applications, three states and four cities
were selected as the finalists. A full-time fellow from the Government
Performance Lab will work with the Governor’s Office for Children and the
Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention for 12 to 15 months on
implementing novel criminal and juvenile justice solutions.
Social
Finance Announces Awardees to Develop Nation’s First Outcomes Rate Cards,
Driving Government Performance through a Focus on Outcomes
Press Release, June 1, 2017
Social Finance today announced the first round of awardees for the Outcomes
Rate Card Development Competition, launching two new partnerships to advance
outcomes-based contracting and financing in communities across the country.
With support through funding awarded last year from the Corporation for
National and Community Service’s Social Innovation Fund, Social Finance will
partner with the Riverside County Executive Office and the Yale Child Study
Center with Connecticut’s Office of Early Childhood to develop the nation’s
first outcomes rate cards. Outcomes rate cards scale solutions to society’s
most pressing challenges by allowing government to identify priority outcomes
for vulnerable citizens, and enabling service providers to achieve those
outcomes through diverse interventions.
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