WASHINGTON DC (May 4, 2020) — Representative Dave Loebsack today applauded the release of funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS) AmeriCorps Grant program. These competitive grants will help support approximately 140 AmeriCorps members in organizations in Iowa’s Second Congressional District. Rep Loebsack has been a longtime supporter of the CNCS and has advocated for robust funding of its initiatives. Organizations receiving grants include the City of Davenport and Graceland University.
“As Iowans know firsthand, AmeriCorps members are an indispensable resource for the communities and individuals they serve,” said Rep Loebsack. “We are fortunate here in Iowa where civic engagement and a sense of community are the norm. I am proud to support AmeriCorps and other initiatives that truly make a difference in our communities. I congratulate the organizations for receiving these grants and thank all who have answered the call to serve others.”
Details of the grants are below.
City of Davenport — $498,783: The City of Davenport proposes 103 AmeriCorps members who will serve at various community and local government sites to improve the graduation rate of Davenport. By serving in programs and activities at Big Brothers Big Sisters, Davenport Community Schools, Stepping Stones, Davenport Parks and Recreation, Davenport Library, Girl Scouts, The Putnam Museum, and other organizations focusing on educational experiences, like interactive STEAM activities, building relationships, and interactive educational programs, the AmeriCorps members will be responsible for helping to raise the attendance rates, job-readiness, and reading-proficiency, and decreasing the high-risk behaviors, for Davenport community schools students. In addition, the AmeriCorps members will leverage an additional 200 volunteers who will be engaged in supporting educational mentoring activities with youth.
Graceland University — $194,454: Graceland University AmeriCorps Youth Launch (AYL) proposes to have 36 AmeriCorps members who will serve as mentors to provide asset-building activities in Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Ringgold, Union, and Wayne Counties in rural South Central Iowa. At the end of the first program year, the AmeriCorps members will be responsible for mentoring youth and providing interventions to increase the possession of 7 Developmental Assets to increase the likelihood of school and life success to reduce economic, cultural, and opportunity poverty. In addition, the AmeriCorps members will leverage 460 volunteers who will be engaged in programs and activities that serve youth, families, and communities.
