Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell thanks Utahs AmeriCorps Members for their significant accomplishments and service in our state.
SALT LAKE CITY – Everyday across Utah, citizens are finding solutions to local problems through national and community service efforts. From increasing high school graduation rates and grade level reading proficiencies to mentoring at-risk youth, providing healthcare to the medically underserved, and restoring public lands, these everyday heroes are strengthening Utah communities as they transform their own lives. These people are AmeriCorps members.
This week, May 14th 21st, is national AmeriCorps Week and people all across the country and here in Utah are thanking the AmeriCorps members who serve in their communities, often at great personal sacrifice, to meet some of our states most critical needs. Because of Utahs AmeriCorps members 5,648 children are mentored by caring adults. Over 10,000 youth are receiving tutoring in math and reading. Approximately 15,000 youth are given safe places to learn and play after school and nearly 3,300 have participated in leadership development trainings.
In 2010 members trained over 12,000 Utahns on how conserve energy and how to be good stewards of our natural resources. Last year members educated 28,000 people in preventative health methods and how to access options to health care.
AmeriCorps members are also tasked with bringing community volunteers into the organizations in which they serve. In 2010 AmeriCorps members across Utah recruited and trained over 13,000 community volunteers who served over 156,000 hours. These recruited volunteers bring an estimated $2.9 million dollars worth of service into Utahs economy.
AmeriCorps members also tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after-school programs, and help communities respond to disasters. They also focus on building the capacity of nonprofit groups to become more self-sustaining, among many other activities.
Since 1994, more than 10,000 Utahns have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to get things done for America. I want to personally thank each and every one of our past and current members for their dedicated service and commitment to get things done in Utah, said Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell. The impact of their service, addressing real community needs, is outstanding and I am honored to recognize them for their great achievements.
In exchange for a year of full-time service, members earn an education award equal to the maximum amount of the Pell Grant that can be used to pay for educational expenses at qualified institutions of higher education, or to pay back qualified student loans.
AmeriCorps Week is more than a way to honor AmeriCorps members for their great achievements in communities across the state. Its an opportunity to trumpet the impact of AmeriCorps service to transform lives and communities.
In a time of great fiscal constraint we are glad that programs like AmeriCorps exist, said Shar Lewis, Executive Director with the Utah Commission on Volunteers. AmeriCorps is a highly cost effective and competitive grant where every $1 granted $1.60 is matched by the grantee organization. It is a model for how government and local community organizations can partner for success.
Utahs State AmeriCorps programs utilized over 300 AmeriCorps members to address critical unmet needs in our communities. In 2010 the Commission was awarded $2.2 million in federal grant funding that was passed through to 10 State AmeriCorps Programs. These programs matched the federal dollars with over $3.5 million.
AmeriCorps members mobilized more than 8,000 volunteers who provided over 130,000 hours of volunteer service with an estimated economic value of $2.9 million dollars to Utahs economy.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES Utah State AmeriCorps Programs & Members Please see list and summary of Utah State AmeriCorps Programs with contacts for interviews. AmeriCorps Program Managers, their AmeriCorps members and the organization where they serve are available for interview. Utah Commission on Volunteers Shar Lewis, Executive Director and LaDawn Stoddard, AmeriCorps Program Manager with the Utah Commission on Volunteers are available for interview during the week. ###
Utah Commission on Volunteers The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. It furthers its mission by administering federal funds for AmeriCorps and national service programs and increasing volunteerism by promoting community collaboration, volunteer recognition, youth and older adult service and providing training and resources for those working with volunteers. The Lt. Governors Conference on Service, State Volunteer Recognition and Awards Banquet, Summer of Service, and the Statewide Volunteer Matching Website www.volunteers.utah.gov are also premiere programs of the Utah Commission on Volunteers.
For more information, visit www.volunteers.utah.gov or call 1-888-755-UTAH. AmeriCorps AmeriCorps is commonly described as the Domestic Peace Corps. Individuals, called members, commit to a specific term of service usually one year- and are housed in nonprofit organizations, schools or other agencies. Members range in age from 17 to 70+ years of age and represent a wide spectrum of other demographics. Upon successful completion of their service, members earn an education award to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans. During their service, members may also be eligible to receive a modest living allowance, health insurance, childcare, and student loan deferment.
The Corporation for National and Community Service The Corporation plays a vital role in supporting the American culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility. They are a catalyst for change and champion for the ideal that every American has skills and talents to give. The Corporation is the nations largest grant maker supporting service and volunteering.
Through the AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Learn and Service America programs, they provide opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to express their patriotism while addressing critical community needs.
Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell Declared Utahs AmeriCorps Week in 2010
