Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $16.4 Million for Illinois AmeriCorps Programs
[CHICAGO, IL] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $16,426,522 million in federal funding to support community service programs throughout Illinois. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), a federal agency that promotes community service across the country, will be distributing $11,624,109 to 16 Illinois-based organizations to help more than 900 AmeriCorps members serve local communities, pay back student loans and cover the cost of college after their service is completed. Serve Illinois, the state service commission that administers the AmeriCorps program in Illinois, will also receive $4,802,413 from CNCS.
"Expanding national service opportunities is vital to the strength of our nation," said Duckworth. "Just as picking up a rifle to defend our country is 'American Service,' so is delivering water filters to communities afflicted by lead-contaminated water, using a stick of chalk to reach low-income children or picking up a hammer to rebuild homes for those devastated by natural disasters. I will continue to do everything in my power to protect and strengthen AmeriCorps and other national community service programs, and to ensure more Americans have an opportunity to give back to their communities."
"From big cities to rural towns, the AmeriCorps National Service Program has been a source of assistance and support in communities for more than 20 years. AmeriCorps Members come from all ages and backgrounds to mentor students, help people access affordable homes, rebuild after disasters, and much more,” Durbin said. “Senator Duckworth and I will continue our strong support for funding that aids the great work being done by AmeriCorps volunteers across our state and country.”
A full list of grantees is below:
• Greater Chicago Food Depository (Chicago, IL): $210,520 in program funding; $100,985 in education awards
• Up2Us Inc. (Chicago, IL): $158,855 in program funding; $74,172 in education awards
• City Year, Inc. (Chicago, IL): $3,165,583 in program funding; $1,255,040 in education awards
• American Red Cross (Chicago, IL): $372,482 in program funding; $159,840 in education awards
• Public Allies, Inc. (Chicago, IL): $649,618 in program funding; $296,000 in education awards
• Illinois Bar Foundation (Chicago, IL): $278,316 in program funding; $127,875 in education awards
• Literacy Volunteers of America – Illinois (Chicago, IL): $355,349 in program funding; $177,945 in education awards
• College Possible (Chicago, IL): $260,000 in program funding; $118,400 in education awards
• Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois (Chicago, IL): $151,474 in program funding; $86,983 in education awards
• Teach for America (Chicago, IL): $0 in program funding; $1,154,400 in education awards
• Youth & Opportunity United, Inc. (Evanston, IL): $270,326 in program funding; $130,240 in education awards
• Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville, IL): $372,716 in program funding; $171,476 in education awards
• East St. Louis School District (East Saint Louis, IL): $300,228 in program funding; $128,502 in education awards
• Rend Lake College (Ina, IL): $445,500 in program funding; $195,360 in education awards
• Sauk Valley Community College (Dixon, IL): $180,038 in program funding; $78,401 in education awards
• City of Peoria (Peoria, IL): $138,285 in program funding; $59,200 in education awards
Over 80,000 Americans joined one of AmeriCorps’ three distinct programs last year: AmeriCorps VISTA, the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps program and the AmeriCorps State and National. Each of these programs aims to improve lives and foster civic engagement by addressing community needs for affordable housing, youth mentoring, increased academic achievement, poverty reduction, the sustainment of natural parks, disaster preparedness and more. Since 1994, AmeriCorps has contributed $140,800,000 in scholarships for its members and supplied $62,200,000 in CNCS and local funding through its 15,080 Senior Corps and AmeriCorps members across 1,640 local service sites across Illinois.
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