100 percent of ServeMinnesota programs to be federally-funded.
About 3,000 members needed to serve in education, environment, economic stability programs throughout the state.
MINNEAPOLIS – July 6, 2022 – ServeMinnesota has received $48.97 million in grants from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and community volunteerism.
ServeMinnesota is the state commission that administers the funds to 20 programs statewide, including three new programs this year. These grants will support more than 3,000 AmeriCorps members in Minnesota who will partner with nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations across the state. Members will support their communities in the areas of education, economic development, substance use disorder recovery, housing, and the environment.
Federal funding is awarded primarily through a national competition. All Minnesota programs that applied received funding. “We have a history of creating evidence-based programs that have demonstrable results. It’s remarkable that 100 percent of our programs were funded at the federal level again. This is because of the depth of research, expert leadership, and community input that goes into each program’s design and continuous improvement process,” said Audrey Suker, ServeMinnesota CEO.
Most programs are now accepting applications for the 2022-23 program year. Those interested in joining AmeriCorps can learn more at serveminnesota.org.
New programs:
- Breakthrough Twin Cities – placing AmeriCorps members as summer teachers for 7th-9th grade college-bound students.
- Resettlement Corps – a partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services to provide transitional supports to new Minnesotans.
- English Learner Program – supporting long-term English Learners in building academic skills and positive connections between school and home.
Continuing programs:
- City of Lakes AmeriCorps – supporting Minneapolis middle school long-term English learners in developing the academic language skills they need to succeed in school.
- Climate Impact Corps – preserving and increasing Minnesota’s tree canopy and educating renters and homeowners to encourage energy efficiency.
- College Possible – bridging the opportunity gap to help low-income and first-generation high school and college students to access and succeed in higher education.
- Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) – teaching youth and adults how to use technology to access civic, educational and economic opportunities.
- Conservation Corps Minnesota – youth and young adults carrying out natural resource management and renewable energy activities.
- Early Learning Corps – formerly PreK Reading Corps – placing tutors in classrooms to boost early literacy, math, and social-emotional skills.
- Heading Home Corps – engaging a team of Housing Resource Navigators to help individuals secure safe and stable housing.
- Lead For Minnesota – placing AmeriCorps members in rural Minnesota to support community revitalization.
- Learning Early Achieves Potential – LEAP AmeriCorps – providing social-emotional learning support in preschool classrooms across southern Minnesota.
- Minnesota Alliance With Youth – Promise Fellows – keeping youth engaged in learning by providing in- and out-of-school supports to 6th-12th graders at risk of dropping out.
- Minnesota GreenCorps – improving Minnesota’s environment while gaining experience and a network for careers in the field.
- Minnesota Math Corps – tutoring K-8th graders to catch up to grade level in math.
- Minnesota Reading Corps – helping students become better, more confident readers by the end of 3rd grade.
- Minnesota Recovery Corps – supporting individuals in sustaining their recovery from substance use disorders and building capacity in organizations to deliver greater impact.
- Total Learning Classroom – building capacity in schools to deliver equitable support in classrooms with a focus on literacy.
- True North AmeriCorps – providing academic, social, and emotional support to youth in the Duluth area.
- Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity – building, rehabbing, and repairing homes in partnership with community volunteers and low-income families in the Twin Cities.
AmeriCorps will provide up to an additional $14 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for the AmeriCorps members funded by these grants. After completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an award of $6,495 that they can use to pay for college or to pay off student loans. Members age 55+ can transfer the award to their child, step-, grand-, or foster-child.
As the federal agency for volunteering and service, AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle the county’s most pressing challenges. Since the agency’s inception in 1994, nearly 1.2 million AmeriCorps members have served the nation.
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About ServeMinnesota
ServeMinnesota creates positive social change by deploying the people power of AmeriCorps to translate research into on-the-ground implementation. Each year, thousands of individuals commit to transformative service opportunities focused on improving the lives of Minnesotans through education, affordable housing, employment, the environment, addiction recovery and response to the COVID-19 crisis. Two of its innovative strategic initiatives, Minnesota Reading Corps and Minnesota Math Corps, demonstrate speed to implementation in their work to close the achievement gap and help struggling students become successful learners. By leveraging federal dollars, building strong community partnerships, and continually improving programs, ServeMinnesota ensures national service is positioned to make meaningful contributions to our state. For more information, visit www.serveminnesota.org.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges, through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.
