PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island received $3.7 million in federal AmeriCorps grants for Serve Rhode Island and several local service-oriented nonprofits according to a press release from U.S. Sen. Jack F. Reed Monday. Reed, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline met with AmeriCorps members and beneficiaries at the Providence Children’s Museum Monday morning to announce the grants.
“Serve Rhode Island and AmeriCorps members strengthen our communities and do an amazing and diverse array of positive work for Rhode Island,” said Reed in a prepared statement. “We must do all we can to preserve important organizations like AmeriCorps and allow federal investments like this one to yield dividends for years to come by giving members the opportunity to gain valuable work skills while bringing their talent and dedication to school and community programs across the state.”
Last year, the state received $2.2 million in AmeriCorps grants.
According to the press release, since 1994, the AmeriCorps program has had more than 4,630 participating members in Rhode Island. AmeriCorps is a federal program dedicated to national and community service.
Rhode Island AmeriCorps grants:
- City Year Providence – $726,000 to support 60 AmeriCorps members who will provide academic and youth development services in six public schools across the city.
- The Institute for the Study & Practice of Nonviolence – $276,600 to help 20 full-time AmeriCorps members provide nonviolence training to 1,000 economically disadvantaged elementary, middle and high school students in Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls.
- The Learning Community – $270,740 to support 20 AmeriCorps members who will provide small group academic intervention for students in grades K through 8 in Central Falls, Providence and Woonsocket.
- The Providence Children’s Museum – $224,455 to continue providing STEM and math enrichment activities for elementary school-aged children and school readiness activities for children enrolled in Head Start to increase academic success and school readiness among low-income children in Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls.
- NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley – $199,715 to support 20 AmeriCorps members who will provide housing assistance to economically disadvantaged renter households, many of whom are at-risk for homelessness, and transition them into safe, healthy, affordable housing.
- Brown University – $187,468 to continue providing in-school college advising to increase the number of urban, low-income and first generation students seeking higher education throughout the state.
- 55 AmeriCorps members who will teach for two years in high-need, low-income schools in five cities throughout Providence County through Teach for America Rhode Island will receive $319,825 to help pay for their post-secondary education or pay down student loans.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
