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Serve Illinois Commission Announces $15.6 Million for AmeriCorps Programs

News – Thursday, September 3, 2015

28 grantees will place 1,682 AmeriCorps volunteers in communities

SPRINGFIELD – The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service today announced $8.6 million in Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) federal grants to enable 1,682 volunteers in 28 AmeriCorps programs to better serve Illinois communities. An additional $7 million is available for college education awards.

“AmeriCorps members make a powerful impact on the toughest challenges facing our nation,” said CNCS CEO Wendy Spencer. “Building on Illinois’s strong tradition of neighbor-helping-neighbor, AmeriCorps members will improve lives and strengthen communities across the state. As they serve others, AmeriCorps members will also expand opportunities for themselves - gaining skills and experience to jumpstart their careers.”

These federal grants will be used for services in Illinois, including tutoring and mentoring at-risk youth, preparing communities to respond effectively to emergencies, feeding those in need, and improving youth and adult literacy. The Serve Illinois Commission, a part of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), administers the AmeriCorps programs in Illinois.

“When communities volunteer, we see an increase in economic strength and education, and a decrease in crime,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Illinois is fortunate to have hundreds of volunteers who donate their time and talents to help turnaround troubled areas and strengthen Illinois one community at a time.”

AmeriCorps members dedicate a year to helping communities meet their unmet economic, education, health, public safety, or environmental needs. Members receive a modest living allowance, student loan deferment, and training. Members who successfully complete their service receive an educational award of up to $5,730 to help pay for college, graduate school, vocational training, or to pay off student loans.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to expand our AmeriCorps and volunteer services in Illinois,” said Serve Illinois Executive Director Scott McFarland. “AmeriCorps members work every day to support thousands of Illinoisans in need including 425,000 disadvantaged youth and 10,000 veterans and military family members. These new members are going to make a lasting positive impact in the lives of people throughout the state.”

AmeriCorps programs receiving funds from Serve Illinois:

Program Location Service Focus Funding Members
ABC AmeriCorps - Sauk Valley Community College Lee, Whiteside, Carroll, Ogle, Bureau & Henry Counties Education $196,145 45
Academy for Urban School Leadership Chicago Education $40,000 50
AmeriCorps East St. Louis - Lessie Bates Neighborhood House East St. Louis Education and Health $450,174 113
AmeriCorps Prisoner and Family Ministries - Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Statewide Economic Opportunity $304,571 46
Asian Human Services Chicago Economic Opportunity, Education, and Health $164,725 12
Belleville AmeriCorps - South Western Illinois College Belleville Education and Capacity Building $401,059 73
City Year Chicago Chicago Education $2,106,668 188
Coach Across America - Up2Us Chicago Health $155,789 16
Early Childhood Literacy Project - Western Illinois University Moline Education $99,715 16
Fostering Transition - Children's Home Peoria Economic Opportunity and Education $157,477 35
Greater Chicago Food Depository Chicago Health and Veteran Services $140,901 12
Housing Forward West Cook County Economic Opportunity $161,155 12
Illinois Justice Corps - Illinois Bar Foundation Statewide Economic Opportunity and Veteran Services $280,641 68
Illinois Public Health Association Statewide Disaster Services and Health $274,522 20
Land of Lincoln AmeriCorps - Rend Lake College Southern Illinois Education and Environmental Stewardship $425,600 55
Operation AmeriCorps - East St. Louis School District East St. Louis Economic Opportunity and Education $461,374 85
Peace Corps Fellows - Western Illinois University Statewide Economic Opportunity and Disaster Services $137,300 14
Project MORE - University of Illinois - Chicago Chicago Economic Opportunity and Education $151,474 21
Project YES! - Northwestern University Settlement Association Chicago Education $528,799 78
Public Allies Chicago Chicago Economic Opportunity $468,000 36
Rockford Service Corps - YMCA of Rock River Valley Rockford Education and Health $180,736 28
Safe Families AmeriCorps - American Red Cross Statewide Disaster Services $332,085 27
Schuler Scholar Program - Schuler Family Foundation Lake Forest Education N/A 38
Springfield Urban League Springfield Economic Opportunity and Education $194,482 54
Teach for America Chicago Education $189,945 469
VOCAL - Literacy Volunteers of Illinois Statewide Economic Opportunity and Education $261,825 31
Youth Guidance Chicago Education $158,448 24
Youth and Opportunity United Evanston Education $134,116 16

Serve Illinois is a 40 member (25 voting and 15 non-voting), bipartisan commission appointed by the Governor and administered by IDPH. Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing traditional volunteer activities and supporting national service programs. The commission supports local community-based efforts to enhance volunteer opportunities and the administration of Illinois' AmeriCorps program.