AmeriCorps Receives $16.7 Million in Funding

Grant Will Support 1,440 AmeriCorps Members Serving in 14 Organizations Across New York State

Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced that New York State has received more than $10.7 million in competitive AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service, to support organizations that promote children’s health and education, disaster preparedness, and other key initiatives. An additional $6 million will be awarded later this year, bringing the total amount of funding to $16.7 million.

“New Yorkers have a long history of lending a hand and coming to the aid of those in need," Governor Cuomo said. “Our AmeriCorps members embody that spirit of service by generously giving their time and effort to make our communities stronger, and I am proud to support their critically important work.”

The New York State Commission on National & Community Service – New Yorkers Volunteer, a Governor-appointed commission, uses the power of AmeriCorps to address some of the States most challenging issues, and encourages citizens to make a difference in the lives of others. The State's AmeriCorps members improve schools and increase educational opportunities, fight poverty, come to the aid of the sick, prepare communities for disasters and rebuild following severe weather events, preserve the environment and support veterans and military families.

Awarded through a Request for Proposal process, the funding will enable 14 non-profit organizations to recruit 1,440 people to serve as AmeriCorps members. Each organization has crafted a program to address specific needs in its community. The New York State Commission on National & Community Service - New Yorkers Volunteer will administer the funding.

New Yorkers Volunteer Executive Director Linda Cohen said, “Whether it’s cleaning-up after a devastating storm or helping children succeed in school, AmeriCorps members are making a real difference in our State. This funding will help to grow and support the communities they serve.”

Strong interest from faith-based and non-profit groups across the country made this year’s grant cycle extremely competitive. The grants awarded in New York State are:

Organization Name	Program Summary	Approved Funding	Population Served
American Red Cross of Northeastern New York	Educate the public about disaster preparedness; recruit Red Cross volunteers; and support rapid responses.	$346,417	Statewide
Blue Engine	Prepare public high school students from low-income communities for success in college.	$467,406	New York City
City Year, Inc.	Mentor and tutor public school students in grades 3 – 8 who are at risk of dropping out.	$2,774,950	New York City
	Provide academic services that encourage students to stay in school and graduate on time.	$460,000	New York City
Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation	Improve education and encourage healthy living through afterschool and summer camp programs.	$181,708	Brooklyn
East Harlem Tutorial Program	Implement a teacher-preparation residency program to support education in high-needs communities.	$139,982	New York City
FoodCorps, Inc.	Connect public school children to healthy food through nutrition education and school gardens.	$126,100	New York City
Genesee County Youth Bureau	Provide fitness, nutrition, and environmental stewardship education to youth in the community.	$257,795	Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.
Harlem Children’s Zone	Prepare children for school; improve literacy in grades K - 5; and help high school seniors graduate on time.	$1,601,470	Central Harlem
Jumpstart for Young Children, Inc.	Help pre-school children in low-income neighborhoods build emergent language and literacy skills.	$789,168	New York City
Monroe Community College	Improve academic engagement in city schools through enrichment activities, mentoring, and tutoring.	$557,327	Rochester
New York City Office of the Mayor	Enhance community resiliency and respond to challenges through the NYC Civic Corps.	$1,296,750	New York City
Reading Partners	Recruit and manage volunteers to provide literacy tutoring to struggling readers in grades K – 5.	$252,700	New York City
The Service Collaborative of WNY, Inc.	Design and implement programs to help children in impoverished neighborhoods succeed in school.	$1,368,762	Buffalo and Western New York
Westhab, Inc.	Help homeless and low-income families develop literacy skills, find jobs, and move into permanent homes.	$121,917	New York City

Senator Charles E. Schumer said, “AmeriCorps is one of the world’s greatest service programs and this federal grant funding will go a long way, not just for the members who will serve, but for the younger people and families who will benefit from the hard work and dedication of the program and its volunteers."
 

Congressman Charles B. Rangel said, "I thank the Corporation for National and Community Service for enhancing our nation's commitment to building a culture service and responsibility. This funding will ensure that AmeriCorps can continue to provide invaluable services to my constituents through the East Harlem Tutorial Program and Harlem Children’s Zone. AmeriCorps members are in the trenches fighting to improve the communities they serve every day, and I am proud that Governor Cuomo supports such initiatives that promote volunteer work nationwide."

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey said, "We must do all we can to support those struggling to achieve independence. Westhab has an excellent record of improving the quality of life for thousands of families and individuals throughout Westchester County, and I will continue working in Congress to ensure organizations like Westhab have the resources to fulfill their selfless, service-oriented missions."

Congressman Jerrold Nadler said, “Commitment to community is something New Yorkers know well. Service starts at home and the commitment of people from all walks of life, all ages, races and genders, to volunteering for an important cause is truly inspiring. As a longtime supporter in Congress of the AmeriCorps program, I am glad this federal funding is being brought to our state and I commend the AmeriCorps volunteers for dedicating their time and energy to giving back through service. Governor Cuomo and the 14 organizations across our state who are working to improve our communities should be congratulated for their tireless work.”

AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, the Social Innovation Fund, and the Volunteer Generation Fund, and leads the President's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. Since 1994, more than 72,000 AmeriCorps members in New York State have completed more than 110 million hours of service. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.