WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today saluted the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) teams that were recently deployed to Iowa. NCCC is a full time service program for men and women ages 18-24 who work in teams to respond to local needs identified by community-based organizations. The teams will be based out of the AmeriCorps NCCC Vinton campus and will assist with projects in Cedar Rapids, Marion, Coon Rapids and Des Moines. All of the teams were deployed on Nov. 18 and will finish their services on Dec. 15. Harkin established the Vinton NCCC site in the 2008 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill.
"As we approach the holiday season, many of us will gather with loved ones and give thanks for our many blessings. During this time, however, it is also important to remember our friends and neighbors in need- especially in parts of Iowa still recovering from last year's floods," said Harkin. "AmeriCorps NCCC teams are being deployed around Iowa to do just that, and I salute these young men and women for serving others and helping to improve our state and country."
Harkin has been a long-time supporter of national service efforts. One of his top priorities as chairman of the Appropriations panel that funds AmeriCorps has been to secure appropriate resources for the organization. Harkin was also a cosponsor of the Serve America Act, legislation that sets out a vision to more than triple, to 250,000, the number of full-and part-time national service volunteers eligible to serve. The legislation passed Congress and was signed into law by President Obama earlier this year.
The details of the projects the recently deployed NCCC members will assist with follows:
• In Cedar Rapids, the teams will work with the Community Corrections Improvement Association to rebuild neighborhoods affected by last year's intense flooding. Their work will include rebuilding the interiors of homes affected by the disaster, volunteer recruitment and mobilization, and need assessment.
• In Marion, teams will work alongside the Flood Recovery Office of the United Methodist Church - Block-by-Block Project to help rebuild homes participating in the project. Their duties will include drywall, painting, landscaping and installing trim.
• In Coon Rapids, the AmeriCorps teams will work with the Whiterock Conservatory to help with oak savanna restoration in the area.
• In Des Moines, volunteers will work with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for residents in the community.
