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News – Thursday, September 3, 2015
Serve Illinois Commission Announces $15.6 Million for AmeriCorps Programs
28 grantees will place 1,682 AmeriCorps volunteers in communities
SPRINGFIELD – The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service today announced $8.6 million in Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) federal grants to enable 1,682 volunteers in 28 AmeriCorps programs to better serve Illinois communities. An additional $7 million is available for college education awards.
“AmeriCorps members make a powerful impact on the toughest challenges facing our nation,” said CNCS CEO Wendy Spencer. “Building on Illinois’s strong tradition of neighbor-helping-neighbor, AmeriCorps members will improve lives and strengthen communities across the state. As they serve others, AmeriCorps members will also expand opportunities for themselves - gaining skills and experience to jumpstart their careers.”
These federal grants will be used for services in Illinois, including tutoring and mentoring at-risk youth, preparing communities to respond effectively to emergencies, feeding those in need, and improving youth and adult literacy. The Serve Illinois Commission, a part of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), administers the AmeriCorps programs in Illinois.
“When communities volunteer, we see an increase in economic strength and education, and a decrease in crime,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Illinois is fortunate to have hundreds of volunteers who donate their time and talents to help turnaround troubled areas and strengthen Illinois one community at a time.”
AmeriCorps members dedicate a year to helping communities meet their unmet economic, education, health, public safety, or environmental needs. Members receive a modest living allowance, student loan deferment, and training. Members who successfully complete their service receive an educational award of up to $5,730 to help pay for college, graduate school, vocational training, or to pay off student loans.
“We are excited to have this opportunity to expand our AmeriCorps and volunteer services in Illinois,” said Serve Illinois Executive Director Scott McFarland. “AmeriCorps members work every day to support thousands of Illinoisans in need including 425,000 disadvantaged youth and 10,000 veterans and military family members. These new members are going to make a lasting positive impact in the lives of people throughout the state.”
AmeriCorps programs receiving funds from Serve Illinois:
| Program | Location | Service Focus | Funding | Members |
| ABC AmeriCorps - Sauk Valley Community College | Lee, Whiteside, Carroll, Ogle, Bureau & Henry Counties | Education | $196,145 | 45 |
| Academy for Urban School Leadership | Chicago | Education | $40,000 | 50 |
| AmeriCorps East St. Louis - Lessie Bates Neighborhood House | East St. Louis | Education and Health | $450,174 | 113 |
| AmeriCorps Prisoner and Family Ministries - Lutheran Social Services of Illinois | Statewide | Economic Opportunity | $304,571 | 46 |
| Asian Human Services | Chicago | Economic Opportunity, Education, and Health | $164,725 | 12 |
| Belleville AmeriCorps - South Western Illinois College | Belleville | Education and Capacity Building | $401,059 | 73 |
| City Year Chicago | Chicago | Education | $2,106,668 | 188 |
| Coach Across America - Up2Us | Chicago | Health | $155,789 | 16 |
| Early Childhood Literacy Project - Western Illinois University | Moline | Education | $99,715 | 16 |
| Fostering Transition - Children's Home | Peoria | Economic Opportunity and Education | $157,477 | 35 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Chicago | Health and Veteran Services | $140,901 | 12 |
| Housing Forward | West Cook County | Economic Opportunity | $161,155 | 12 |
| Illinois Justice Corps - Illinois Bar Foundation | Statewide | Economic Opportunity and Veteran Services | $280,641 | 68 |
| Illinois Public Health Association | Statewide | Disaster Services and Health | $274,522 | 20 |
| Land of Lincoln AmeriCorps - Rend Lake College | Southern Illinois | Education and Environmental Stewardship | $425,600 | 55 |
| Operation AmeriCorps - East St. Louis School District | East St. Louis | Economic Opportunity and Education | $461,374 | 85 |
| Peace Corps Fellows - Western Illinois University | Statewide | Economic Opportunity and Disaster Services | $137,300 | 14 |
| Project MORE - University of Illinois - Chicago | Chicago | Economic Opportunity and Education | $151,474 | 21 |
| Project YES! - Northwestern University Settlement Association | Chicago | Education | $528,799 | 78 |
| Public Allies Chicago | Chicago | Economic Opportunity | $468,000 | 36 |
| Rockford Service Corps - YMCA of Rock River Valley | Rockford | Education and Health | $180,736 | 28 |
| Safe Families AmeriCorps - American Red Cross | Statewide | Disaster Services | $332,085 | 27 |
| Schuler Scholar Program - Schuler Family Foundation | Lake Forest | Education | N/A | 38 |
| Springfield Urban League | Springfield | Economic Opportunity and Education | $194,482 | 54 |
| Teach for America | Chicago | Education | $189,945 | 469 |
| VOCAL - Literacy Volunteers of Illinois | Statewide | Economic Opportunity and Education | $261,825 | 31 |
| Youth Guidance | Chicago | Education | $158,448 | 24 |
| Youth and Opportunity United | Evanston | Education | $134,116 | 16 |
Serve Illinois is a 40 member (25 voting and 15 non-voting), bipartisan commission appointed by the Governor and administered by IDPH. Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing traditional volunteer activities and supporting national service programs. The commission supports local community-based efforts to enhance volunteer opportunities and the administration of Illinois' AmeriCorps program.