NEWS RELEASE
CARSON CITY — Governor Sandoval is pleased to announce in partnership with Nevada Volunteers, the Governor’s Commission on Service, that Nevada has received $1.6 million in funding to support 290 AmeriCorps members serving in more than 60 nonprofits throughout the state.
“National Service is an essential part of the solution to many of the challenges facing our state,” said Governor Brian Sandoval. “These AmeriCorps members will meet pressing local needs and strengthen our communities as they develop civic and leadership skills to last a lifetime. I congratulate these outstanding organizations and thank all those who serve their communities through AmeriCorps.”
“The law creating AmeriCorps gave a key role to states in determining how national service resources are used and promoting service and volunteering to meet state needs. Nevada Volunteers is honored to serve in this role, and pleased to be able to bring these federal resources into our communities”, said Amber Martin-Jahn, Executive Director of Nevada Volunteers. “From North Las Vegas to Battle Mountain, Reno to Pahrump, every corner of Nevada is impacted by AmeriCorps members providing direct service in response to local needs.”
Five operational AmeriCorps programs are funded through Nevada Volunteers by the Corporation for National and Community Service, Nevada Volunteers’ partner in national service. The current year’s AmeriCorps grant cycle was highly competitive and Nevada is pleased to include in its portfolio the competitively funded Nevada Conservation Corps program. All other programs were funded through Nevada’s formula allocation. Programs start enrolling members September 1st, 2015.
• 50 AmeriCorps members serving through United Way of Southern Nevada will provide a broad range of health, education, after-school, public safety, volunteer, and human services.
• 32 AmeriCorps members serving through Nevada Outdoor School will offer environmental education, after-school programs, support to seniors, and volunteer services throughout rural Nevada.
• 175 AmeriCorps members with the Great Basin Institute’s Nevada Conservation Corps will help meet Nevada’s environmental and restoration needs on public lands.
• 23 AmeriCorps members serving through Urban Roots will support healthy futures and economic opportunity for youth through garden and nutrition education.
• 10 AmeriCorps members serving through the Governor’s Office of Energy will assist in conducting energy audits and efficiency upgrades for low-income individuals in the state.
In addition to the five operational AmeriCorps*State programs, four planning grants were awarded to organizations and institutions. These funds will help the programs to prepare to host members during the 2016-17 program year.
• The Nevada Department of Veterans Services will plan a program that will assist veterans in identifying resources, services, benefits, and opportunities available to them.
• The Nevada Statewide Coalition Partnership will plan a program that will serve individuals in economically struggling communities across the state to improve access to healthcare in these areas.
• The Outside Las Vegas Foundation will plan a program that will serve the greater Las Vegas area by offering STEM education programs in the schools and during field trips.
• The Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation will plan a program that will engage students at title 1 schools in the Reno/Sparks area in science education experiences in local parks.
In addition to the grant funding awarded to organizations, AmeriCorps members who complete at least 1,700 hours of service will earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award valued at $5,730. These awards may be used to pay for college or vocational training or to pay back student loans. Nevada’s 2015-16 AmeriCorps members are projected to earn $757,646 in education awards to support their pursuit of higher education.
