Area AmeriCorps programs receive grant funding
U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, both Democrats from Illinois, say more than $15 million in grant funding is being received from the Corporation for National and Community Service to support 16 Illinois-based AmeriCorps organizations, even as federal funding cuts are being threatened.
This funding will invest $11,053,898 in AmeriCorps programs across Illinois, along with $4,142,050 in education awards to help AmeriCorps members pay for college after they complete their service.
“Expanding national service opportunities is vital to the strength of our nation,” said Duckworth. “Just as picking up a gun to defend our country is ‘American Service,’ so is delivering water filters to communities afflicted by lead-contaminated water, picking up a stick of chalk to reach low-income children or a hammer to rebuild homes for those devastated by natural disasters. The Trump Administration’s extreme proposal to eliminate AmeriCorps and SeniorCorps would not only devastate civilian national service efforts across the country, but it is a disgraceful insult to the valuable service performed by Illinoisans every day.”
“For more than 20 years, the AmeriCorps National Service Program has provided valuable assistance and services to communities that need it the most, and been pivotal in bringing people together who share a common spirit of giving back to their community. This funding will aid the great work being accomplished by AmeriCorps volunteers to help strengthen Illinois,” said Durbin. “Unfortunately, President Trump’s budget seeks to eliminate this agency – an agency that has been responsible for teaching children to read, helping schools address the needs of students who have experienced trauma, mobilizing disaster relief efforts, and so much more. I will fight tooth and nail to keep AmeriCorps intact and functional for generations to come.”
In addition to the CNCS funding, AmeriCorps grantees will provide $23,787,683 in additional support. This funding will serve a total of 936 AmeriCorps members across the state of Illinois.
The local grantees include:
• Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville $372,716 in program funding; $168,435 in education awards
• Rend Lake College, Ina, $445,500 in program funding; $191,895 in education awards
• East St. Louis School District, East Saint Louis, $457,477 in program funding; $192,372 in education awards
— From the Illinois Business Journal
