Columbia, S.C. – Congressman Clyburn announced today that South Carolina has received over $3 million in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).
These grants will put 116 AmeriCorps members on the ground to serve with 2 organizations. AmeriCorps members will tackle some of the toughest problems in the 6th Congressional District including tutoring and other academic services including social and emotional learning curriculum to help children improve their performance in school.
“AmeriCorps members are an indispensable resource for nonprofits, communities, and the individuals they serve,” said Congressman Clyburn. “Community service is an essential part of the solutions to many of the challenges South Carolina faces, and AmeriCorps members are able to bring the country together by uniting individuals behind a common goal. I congratulate City Year Columbia and WINGS for Kids for receiving these grants, and thank all those who have answered the call to service by joining AmeriCorps.”
“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 South Carolina’s strong tradition of neighbor helping neighbor, AmeriCorps members will improve lives and strengthen communities across South Carolina. 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 current year’s AmeriCorps grant cycle was highly competitive, due to the strong demand by organizations seeking AmeriCorps resources. The 2015 competition prioritized investments in economic opportunity, education, veterans and military families, disaster services, and continued a new initiative for governors and mayors.
CNCS will provide an $1.9 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for the AmeriCorps members funded by these grants. After completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an award of $5,645 that they can use to pay for college or to pay off student loans.
AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 members in intensive service annually to serve through nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations at 25,000 locations across the country. These members help communities tackle pressing problems while mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve.
Since 1994, more than 900,000 Americans have provided more than 1.2 billion hours of service addressing critical challenges from poverty and hunger to disasters and the dropout crisis.
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. For more information, visit www.NationalService.gov .