AmeriCorps Announces New Grant for COVID-19 Recovery Efforts

AmeriCorps awards more than $7 million from American Rescue Plan investment to support AmeriCorps Senior Volunteer Programs    [] [AmeriCorps] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFeb. 2, 2022  AmeriCorps Press Office    pressoffice[@]cns.gov [AmeriCorps Announces New Grant for COVID-19 Recovery Efforts ](  AmeriCorps awards more than $7 million from American Rescue Plan investment to support AmeriCorps Senior Volunteer Programs    WASHINGTON, D.C.— AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, announced today a new grant to address ongoing needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, AmeriCorps is awarding more than $7 million to current AmeriCorps Seniors grantees. This grant advances the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to support diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility; assist states with low vaccination rates; and expand services in communities that are addressing the root causes of poverty.    “We are pleased to partner with these communities as they continue their efforts to tackle problems that COVID-19 has highlighted or exacerbated,” said AmeriCorps Seniors Director Atalaya Sergi. “We believe that older adult volunteers are exactly the people to bring experience, knowledge, and a commitment to addressing these issues.”  Current grantees who receive this funding will be engaging more adults, age 55+, in national service activities to make an impactful change in their communities. Examples of funded programs include:   - Hispanic-American Institute, Inc in Albuquerque, which will engage 20 older adult volunteers to support community COVID-19 education and vaccination programs. The volunteers will also provide food and companionship to seniors who have been isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic in new communities that are not part of the programs current service area.  - Interfaith Community Services in Tucson, Ariz., which will engage 115 older adult volunteers to lead Workforce Development, Bridges Financial Literacy, and Single Mom Scholars programs for community members impacted by the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.  - New Opportunities, Inc in Waterbury, Conn., which will engage 100 older adult volunteers to provide companionship and respite services to support homebound older adults who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteers also will provide vaccination education and help community members navigation community resources.  AmeriCorps continues to invest in the nation’s [COVID-19 recovery](. With existing programs in more than 40,000 locations across the country, AmeriCorps is uniquely positioned to bolster community response efforts. In response to the pandemic, hundreds of thousands of AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers across all 50 states and U.S. territories have continued their service, quickly adapting to meet the changing needs caused by the pandemic and have provided vital support, community response, and recovery efforts, providing support to more than 12.5 million Americans, including 2.5 million people at vaccination sites. Earlier this year, AmeriCorps [announced a new grant]( for COVID-19 vaccination education for high-risk groups in Oklahoma and [awarded nearly $6 million]( to senior volunteer programs that will increase COVID-19 relief efforts, support children to recover learning opportunities, and address critical community needs. ### AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, 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 invests more than $800 million in grants for local nonprofit, community, tribal, and state organizations; places more than 250,000 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. Learn more at [americorps.gov.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Seniors COIVD-19 Graphic] Help us spread this exciting news by sharing on [Twitter](, [Facebook](, [Instagram]( or [LinkedIn.Â]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [youtube]([instagram]([twitter]([facebook]( [AmeriCorps] --------------------------------------------------------------- [Manage preferences](  / [AmeriCorps.gov]( We sent this email to [{EMAIL}](mailto:{NAME}%40gmail.com) on behalf of AmeriCorps. [Bookmark and Share]( --------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to {EMAIL} using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: AmeriCorps · 250 E. Street SW · Washington, DC 20525 · (202) 606- 5000 · (800) 833-3722 [GovDelivery logo](