R.I. receives $2.6M in AmeriCorps funding to support student access, housing, COVID-19 recovery

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Daniel J. McKee, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and R.I. Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green announced July 22 that $2.6 million in AmeriCorps funding has been awarded to the state.

The funding, according to the R.I. Department of Education, will support 178 AmeriCorps members to develop as civic leaders while working with nine local organizations to help students and families in the Ocean State with tutoring, extended learning opportunities, access to housing, nutrition and food security, and veteran services.

The funding also includes $1 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for AmeriCorps members. The members, RIDE said, will receive a scholarship for the number of hours in services – between $1,300 and $6,400 – that they can use to pay for college or student loans.

“When Rhode Island communities are in need, AmeriCorps members rise to the challenge and answer their calls,” McKee said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to announce this federal funding in support of incredible volunteers who are helping our state recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Working side by side with our community partners, we will continue to meet the needs of Rhode Islanders and move forward as a state.”

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The organizations that were awarded AmeriCorps grants are:

  • Accessing Home – NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley
  • Attendance Improvement Matters – Family Service of Rhode Island
  • FabNewport
  • Farm Fresh Rhode Island
  • Providence After School Alliance:
  • SAGA Innovations
  • Teach For America-Rhode Island
  • TerraCorps
  • VetCorps RI – The Rhode Island Office of Veterans Affairs

James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.