NEW: RI AmeriCorps Programs Receive $2 Million In Federal Funding
Friday, August 12, 2011
Governor Lincoln D. Chafee has announced that the Corporation for National and Community Service has appropriated almost $2 million to 11 Rhode Island AmeriCorps organizations. These grants will support the work of 269 Rhode Island AmeriCorps volunteers for a variety of different functions including youth mentoring and tutoring, after school enrichment programs, college preparation programs, and extending basic human services to low-income families.
Rhode Island’s commission for national and community service, Serve Rhode Island, will manage and administer these 11 grants from the competitive national AmeriCorps grants and the AmeriCorps state formula grant. 2011’s AmeriCorps grant cycle was extremely competitive as organizations requested almost twice the number of grant dollars and positions that could be funded. Out of a total of 53 competitive grants given nationally, Rhode Island received 6.
In reference to Rhode Island’s large grant number, Bernie Beaudreau, the Executive Director of Serve Rhode Island stated, “We are very pleased with the outcome of this year’s AmeriCorps competition even though nationally the AmeriCorps program sustained a federal budget cut. Our applicant agencies worked intensively to put together excellent programs and congratulate them on their efforts.” Governor Lincoln D. Chafee backed the overall positive sentiment saying that “Citizen service is an essential part of addressing the many challenges facing our state. These AmeriCorps members will meet pressing local needs and strengthen our communities as they develop civic and leadership skills that can last a lifetime.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe grants will focus AmeriCorps resources on six main areas: meeting environmental and energy efficiency needs, strengthening education, fostering economic opportunity, disaster preparation and response, improving health, and assisting military veterans and families.
Below is a listing of AmeriCorps grants in Rhode Island for 2011-2012:
Competitive AmeriCorps Grants Awarded:
Brown University College Guides - $187,727 for 22 members to assist Rhode Island public high school seniors from core urban districts with college access.
Inspiring Minds - $133,000 for 10 members to coordinate volunteer efforts to tutor Providence elementary school students in math and literacy who are below grade level proficiency.
Institute for the Study and Practice of Non-Violence - $212,800 for 16 members to teach non-violence in schools and reduce gang violence activity.
Providence Children’s Museum - $170,908 for 16 members to provide STEM and math enrichment activities for elementary age children, and school readiness for children in Head Start programs.
Save the Bay/Ocean State Environmental Education Collaborative - $212,800 for 16 members to provide environmental education to school students through during and after-school programs of RI Audubon, The Norman Bird Sanctuary, Save the Bay and Roger Williams Park Zoo.
The Providence Plan/Ready to Learn Providence - $465,500 for 35 members to serve in literacy and school readiness programs, as well as conduct health screenings in Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls.
Formula AmeriCorps Grants Funded:
Charter Corps - $186,200 for 14 members to serve in the Highlander Charter School and Times Squared Academy providing mentoring, tutoring and enrichment educational support.
East Bay Community Action Program - $ 133,000 for 10 members to provide support for human services delivery in the East Bay area.
Providence City Arts for Youth/Extended Day Teaching Artists Project - $133,000 for 26 part and full-time members to provide during and after-school support for arts integration and enrichment in Providence middle schools.
Rhode Island Campus Compact Scholarships for Service - $94,600 for 100 part-time college-attending members for direct service in public schools and non-profit human service agencies throughout the state.
The Learning Community Education Fellows - $53,200 for 4 members to provide during and after-school educational support in Central Falls.
