For Immediate Release
May 31, 2023
Contact:
Betsy Shelton
515.348.6228
betsy.shelton@volunteeriowa.org
VOLUNTEER IOWA AWARDS $11.7 MILLION FOR STATE AMERICORPS PROGRAMS
APPLICATIONS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS BEING ACCEPTED NOW
DES MOINES, IA – Volunteer Iowa has awarded $9.1 million in grant funding and an additional $2.6 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for Iowa AmeriCorps State programs and members. These grants will support 19 programs engaging more than 800 AmeriCorps members in Iowa who will serve with nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations across the state. Two additional grantees will conduct planning activities to develop and expand new AmeriCorps programming across the state.
Volunteer Iowa is the governor-appointed state commission which administers funds from the federal AmeriCorps agency to support national service and community volunteerism. AmeriCorps national service programs enroll individuals in intensive service positions that address community needs, such as connecting food insecure individuals to local food pantries, developing high-quality afterschool programming for disadvantaged youth, or supporting refugees in finding jobs and housing in their new communities. After completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an award of approximately $6,900 that they can use for tuition at eligible schools and educational programs or qualified student loan repayment.
“With the addition of two Public Health AmeriCorps programs, AmeriCorps members will be able to support communities in Iowa in ways they have not yet to date, by focusing on food insecurity needs in rural and urban communities, along with addressing other public health needs,” said Adam Lounsbury, Executive Director of Volunteer Iowa. “Having the capacity to host 800 AmeriCorps members in communities statewide will aid organizations in broadening their capacity to do work and have a positive impact on the individuals they serve.”
Programs across the state are currently recruiting AmeriCorps members to serve in the coming year. Iowa AmeriCorps members may be eligible to receive benefits including a living allowance, health care, childcare, and the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Visit Join AmeriCorps on our website to search and apply for AmeriCorps positions in Iowa.
Program Grants:
| AmeriCorps Youth Launch (Graceland University) | AmeriCorps members mentor youth, build valuable developmental assets, instill civic engagement, and help young people find the "sparks" that ignite their passions in life. |
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| Bur Oak Land Trust AmeriCorps Program (Bur Oak Land Trust) | Bur Oak Land Trust AmeriCorps members serve to protect and restore Eastern Iowa's natural resources. |
| Campus Compact Civic Leaders AmeriCorps Program (Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact) | The Civic Leaders AmeriCorps Program will focus on the retention of college students that identify as first-generation, low-income, and/or students of color. |
| City of Davenport AmeriCorps and Youth Corps Program (City of Davenport) | Members focus on reducing the high school dropout rate by serving with organizations that support youth. |
| City of Dubuque AmeriCorps Program (City of Dubuque) | Members will develop and implement social and emotional learning interventions to K-12th grade students through in-school and out-of-school-time programs. |
| Course to College AmeriCorps - College Access & Success (Iowa College Student Aid Commission) | College Access and Success AmeriCorps members assist high school and current college students as they plan for, prepare for and succeed in college. |
| Conservation Corps Iowa AmeriCorps (Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa) | Members make a difference protecting the environment and gain valuable skills for their future. |
| Disaster PrepWise AmeriCorps Program (University of Iowa) | Members help community-based older adults become prepared for disasters and strengthen their emergency support networks. |
| Green Iowa AmeriCorps (University of Northern Iowa) | Green Iowa works to empower Iowa's communities and school districts to make more environmental, conservation-minded decisions and improvements. |
| Habitat for Humanity of Iowa AmeriCorps Program (Habitat for Humanity of Iowa) | Members learn, serve, and give back to the community by building houses, managing volunteers, and engaging homeowners at local Habitat for Humanities. |
| IEDA AmeriCorps - Competitive (Iowa Economic Development Authority) | IEDA will partner with community-based organizations across Iowa to increase capacity, quality, and cultural competency of service delivery and project development. |
| IEDA AmeriCorps - Public Health AmeriCorps (Iowa Economic Development Authority) | AmeriCorps members will respond to public health needs by addressing food insecurity and providing resource navigation in rural and urban Iowa communities. |
| Iowa Afterschool STEM AmeriCorps (Iowa Afterschool Alliance/The Iowa Children's Museum) | AmeriCorps members will be responsible for developing new STEM curriculum and partnerships at hosting organizations, engaging youth, families, and site staff in STEM education and career exploration. |
| Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H Outreach (Iowa State University) | AmeriCorps members will be responsible for developing new STEM curriculum and partnerships at hosting organizations, engaging youth, families, and site staff in STEM education and career exploration. |
| Iowa Legal Aid AmeriCorps Project (Iowa Legal Aid) | AmeriCorps members provide direct services to clients and their communities, helping them access legal information, resources and support needed to resolve fundamental civil legal problems. |
| Iowa Reading Corps AmeriCorps Program (United Ways of Iowa) | Members are responsible for addressing ongoing literacy learning loss by working one on one with students in K-3rd grade. |
| RedTails LEAD AmeriCorps (Hawkeye Community College) | Members form a network of support for underserved students by serving to alleviate food insecurity, construct and remodel homes, or help with academic and other life challenges. |
| RISE (Rebuild, Integrate, Serve and Empower) AmeriCorps (RIVA) | The program trains emerging leaders from refugee and immigrant communities to support fellow refugee and immigrant students in job-readiness classes through learning support, referrals, outreach, and wrap around services. |
| Youth Connect AmeriCorps (Iowa State University) | Members will provide services to youth ages 14-23 currently in or newly transitioned from state-mandated out-of-home care (foster care youth). |
Planning grants:
| Campus Compact AmeriCorps Planning Grant (Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact) | The planning grant will explore a program model to increase job readiness of low-income college students for careers in the nonprofit and public sectors. |
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| AMPACT AmeriCorps Planning Grant (Reading & Math, Inc.) | The planning grant will explore how to expand Reading Corps programming and replicate MN Math Corps and potentially Early Learning Corps programming in Iowa. |
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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 Iowa’s 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 nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency 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.