For Immediate Release
October 24, 2022
Contact: Betsy Shelton
515.348.6228
betsy.shelton@volunteeriowa.org
AmeriCorps Press Office, pressoffice@cns.gov
DES MOINES, IA β Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO, participated in a virtual swearing-in ceremony for AmeriCorps members on Friday, October 21. Smith led the AmeriCorps pledge for incoming members from across the state during the AmeriCorps Iowa program launch.
Volunteer Iowa Executive Director Adam Lounsbury provided welcoming remarks to the attendees, which was followed by the AmeriCorps pledge which signals the official launch of the AmeriCorps service term.
More than 800 AmeriCorps members currently serve at 158 locations across Iowa. Last year, state organizations received more than $24.9 million in AmeriCorps funding.
Visit our AmeriCorps page on the Volunteer Iowa website for a comprehensive list of the programs in which AmeriCorps members will serve this year. A recording of the swearing-in ceremony is available on our YouTube channel.
###
About Volunteer Iowa
Volunteer Iowa and its partner agencies work with organizations and individuals on three main fronts. The first is to help agencies develop quality programs that use service as a strategy to fulfill their missions and address Iowaβs greatest areas of need. The second is to help engage Iowans in their communities by promoting service and expanding the volunteer base. Finally, the third area of work is to connect individuals with appropriate service opportunities by building the volunteer infrastructure. More information is available at volunteeriowa.org.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nationβs 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.
AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/serve.