Rebuilding Together Receives $781,697 National AmeriCorps Grant
WASHINGTON, July 20, 2016 – Rebuilding Together has received a $781,697 AmeriCorps grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to support 87 AmeriCorps members who will provide critical support to our mission of transforming the lives of low-income homeowners by improving the safety and health of their homes and revitalizing their communities. This grant will support AmeriCorps members in 28 cities and 19 states across the country.
“Our AmeriCorps members are a tremendous resource to our entire affiliate network,” said Caroline Blakely, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “These individuals provide mission-critical services to Rebuilding Together affiliates across the country, and help serve the needs of thousands of homeowners, families and community members every year. Their dedication to national service is inspiring to everyone involved with our organization.”
In addition to the grant funding, CNCS will make available $347,655 in education scholarships for the AmeriCorps members funded by these grants to help pay for college, vocational training, or pay back student loans. After completing 1,700 hours of service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award of $5,775.
AmeriCorps operates as a public-private partnership that leverages significant amounts of outside resources to stretch the federal dollar and increase community impact. AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 members in intensive service annually to serve through nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations at more than 21,000 locations across the country. These members help communities tackle pressing problems while mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve.
“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. “As they serve others, AmeriCorps members will also expand opportunity for themselves - gaining skills and experience to jumpstart their careers. We congratulate Rebuilding Together for their strong application, and thank all AmeriCorps members for their service.”
Since 1994, 980,000 AmeriCorps members have given more than 1.3 billion hours of service to their country, earning more than $3 billion in education scholarships. Later this year, the one millionth AmeriCorps member will take the AmeriCorps pledge, committing to “get things done” for America.