Buckeye Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 6, 2023, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that AmeriCorps has awarded $2,169,799 in State and National grants to three organizations in Southeast Ohio to support 138 AmeriCorps members. In addition to the awards announced today, AmeriCorps members supported by these awards are eligible for up to $715,009 in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards to help pay for college, vocational training, or to pay back student loans.

“AmeriCorps is about empowering citizens to strengthen their local communities,” said Brown. “These investments will allow organizations in Southeast Ohio to take on volunteers who will help tackle local challenges, help residents access important resources, and further expand their efforts to improve the lives of Southeast Ohio residents.” 

Organizations receiving funds include:

• $984,699 to Rural Action in The Plains to support conservation, agriculture, environmental education, waste reduction, and energy in historically underrepresented and underserved communities in Appalachian Ohio.
• $688,300 to Washington County to support individuals with a chronic illness achieve better health results in Appalachian Ohio, with an initial focus on diabetes and sustained addiction recovery. Additionally, AmeriCorps members will build recovery infrastructure such as recovery housing, transitional housing, evidence-based self-management programs, and other community improvement projects.
• $496,800 to Ohio University in Athens to support two year-long nutrition education programs. Additionally, AmeriCorps members will be engaged in helping in classrooms, connecting to community members, assisting in gardens, distributing food, and supporting other initiatives that enhance quality of life.

AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers.

Original source can be found here.