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 AndrĂ© 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.
|