Whitmer announces $24.5 million AmeriCorps investment

by | Jul 29, 2021 | Regional News

Header 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 29, 2021

CONTACT: Jason Alexander, alexanderj9@michigan.gov

 

Gov. Whitmer announces $24.5 million AmeriCorps investment to address COVID-19 recovery, build and strengthen communities

 

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Whitmer and the Michigan Community Service Commission today announced Michigan’s $24.5 million AmeriCorps investment that will support over 1,000 AmeriCorps members tackling some of the state’s toughest challenges, including COVID-19 recovery, disaster services, economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, education, health and safer communities.

 

“Michigan AmeriCorps members work tirelessly to help communities tackle their toughest challenges,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “This funding will help them continue their efforts and play a role in our state’s economic jumpstart as we emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever.”

 

During the last program year, AmeriCorps members served 33,275 youth, treated 1,026 acres of public land and provided 6,541 individuals with health services.

 

This investment will support 26 Michigan organizations through 28 subgrants and one planning grant to expand their reach and impact in Michigan communities. Those organizations include:

  • Albion College: $191,591, South Central Michigan Region
  • American Red Cross-Michigan Region: $301,057, Statewide
  • BHK Child Development Board: $133,731, Upper Peninsula
  • Cherry Health: $386,466, West Michigan Region
  • Child & Family Services of Northwestern MI: $474,122, Statewide
  • City Year Detroit: $1,762,272, Southeast Michigan Region
  • Community Economic Development Association of MI: $326,000, Statewide
  • Crim Fitness Foundation: $244,054, Mid-Michigan Region
  • Eastern Michigan University: $54,506 planning grant, Southeast Michigan Region
  • Hope Network: $1,149,569, Statewide
  • Huron Pines: $388,007, Statewide
  • Luella Hannan Foundation: $83,211, Southeast Michigan Region
  • Ingham County Health Department: $163,945, Mid-Michigan Region
  • Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness: $290,538, Statewide
  • Michigan College Access Network: $1,076,000, two grants, Statewide
  • Michigan Fitness Foundation, $114,048, Statewide
  • Michigan Primary Care Association: $180,927, Statewide
  • Michigan State University Extension: $244,500, Statewide
  • Peckham, Inc.: $163,486, Mid-Michigan Region
  • Special Olympics Michigan: $125,510, Statewide
  • Teach for America: $25,000, Southeast Michigan Region
  • United Way of Genesee County: $244,472, Mid-Michigan Region
  • Urban Neighborhood Initiatives: $114,100, Southeast Michigan Region
  • WARM Training Center (EcoWorks): $387261, Southeast Michigan Region
  • Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency: $114,100, Southeast Michigan Region
  • Wayne State University: 737,020, two grants, Southeast Michigan Region

 

These funds are made possible through a $9.4 million federal AmeriCorps grant and AmeriCorps’ unique model that will leverage an additional nearly $10.7 million in matching funds from the private sector, foundations and other sources, increasing the return on the federal funds.

 

In addition, AmeriCorps is providing $4.4 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for AmeriCorps members. Upon completion of a full-time term of service, AmeriCorps members will receive an education award of over $6,000 they can use to cover the cost of college or pay back student loans.

 

“We’re incredibly proud to host two AmeriCorps grant programs – one to help students get into college and one to help them complete college – all in support of the governor’s Sixty by 30 goal,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) executive director. “National service is one of the best ways an organization like MCAN can impact individuals, communities and the state. We will use these funds and empower these AmeriCorps members to close education equity gaps for low-income students, first-generation college-going students and students of color across Michigan.”

 

“Public purpose is one of Albion College’s core institutional values,” said Mathew Johnson, Albion College president. “This grant will allow us to expand opportunities offered through the new School for Public Purpose and Professional Advancement for students to engage with community partners in areas such as education, health, food security, and economic development, strengthening our long-standing relationships within the local community and creating lasting social impact.”

 

To learn more about Michigan’s AmeriCorps efforts, visit Michigan.gov/volunteer.

 

The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) utilizes service as a strategy to address the state’s most pressing issues and empowers volunteers to strengthen communities. From 2021-2022, the MCSC will grant more than $21 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. Michigan’s AmeriCorps, Mentor Michigan and Volunteer Michigan are premier programs of the MCSC. The MCSC is housed in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/volunteer.