$2.5 million in AmeriCorps Formula Grants Announced

For Immediate Release: August 2, 2011

OLYMPIA �The Washington Commission for National and Community Service announced today it has awarded $2.5 million to eight local organizations. The grants will support 200 AmeriCorps positions that will help nonprofits, schools, local government and community-based entities use service as a strategy to address many of the social challenges facing our communities during these tough economic times.

�In tough economic times and an era of tight budgets, volunteer service has increasingly become an essential strategy for meeting community challenges,� said Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Today�s grant announcement follows last month�s award of $13.1 million in AmeriCorps competitive funding. AmeriCorps grant resources focus on six key areas: strengthening education, fostering economic opportunity, preparing for and responding to disasters, improving health, meeting environmental and energy efficiency needs, and assisting veterans and military families.

The following agencies and organizations were awarded grant funding:

Clallam County Family YMCA � North Olympic AmeriCorps: $492,898
College Success Foundation � College and Career Advising Corps: $130,000
Community Youth Services � AmeriCorps Youth in Service: $319,200
Girl Scouts of Western Washington � Leaders in Service: $247,000
Solid Ground � JustServe AmeriCorps: $271,347
Life Works � Cowlitz AmeriCorps Network: $442,000
Pasco School District #1 � Regional Service Corps: $255,885
Washington Department of Veterans Affairs � Vet Corps: $403,000

Individuals who serve in positions funded by these grants will be eligible to receive financial assistance to pay for college through the Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards. After completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an education award of $5,550 that they can use to pay for college or to pay off student loans.

AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to meet critical needs. Administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, AmeriCorps engages 80,000 people each year in intensive, results-driven service through more than 14,000 nonprofits across the country. Since 1994, more than 700,000 Americans have provided more than 860 million hours of service to their communities and country through AmeriCorps.

Interested individuals can learn about available service opportunities and apply online by visiting http://www.ofm.wa.gov/servewa/ or AmeriCorps.gov.