Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), co-chairs of the National Service Congressional Caucus, celebrate AmeriCorps Week with the unanimous Senate adoption of a resolution honoring the invaluable contributions of AmeriCorps members and alumni. Every year, AmeriCorps enrolls more than 270,000 individuals to serve in communities across America, totaling more than one million alumni since the program’s founding in 1994. AmeriCorps members are engaged in 40,000 communities across the United States and serve veterans, students, seniors, and more. This week’s resolution celebrates the contributions of AmeriCorps members and alumni and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers across the country.
“AmeriCorps members stepped up to meet urgent community needs during the pandemic, and as we continue to address challenges from education to conservation to hunger, I know that AmeriCorps stands ready to expand their members’ work in important ways,” said Senator Coons. “Benefitting 40,000 communities across all 50 states, it’s easy to see why AmeriCorps has broad bipartisan support in Congress. As we look to the future of AmeriCorps, I’m glad the Senate took a moment to celebrate the work of hardworking Americans to identify and overcome challenges in their own communities.”
“AmeriCorps members impact their communities and do everything from supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life to empowering students in the classroom,” said Dr. Cassidy.“This resolution honors their commitment to serve the most vulnerable around the country and here in Louisiana.”
“Across our nation, millions of Americans stepped up to serve their country through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors. During AmeriCorps Week, we recognize their tireless effort to manage COVID-19 response, ensure students stay on track to graduate, combat hunger and homelessness, respond to natural disasters, fight the opioid epidemic, help seniors live independently, support veterans and military families, and much more,” said AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith. “I thank the Congressional National Service Caucus co-chairs for introducing this important resolution to honor the invaluable contributions of AmeriCorps members and alumni. I look forward to continuing to work with Members of Congress to unite Americans from all walks of life through service to tackle our most pressing challenges.”
“For decades, AmeriCorps members have helped communities tackle their most pressing challenges, and service has never been more crucial than during COVID-19. Over the past two years, AmeriCorps members acted quickly and creatively to address gaps in services, and they will continue to be a critical resource as the nation begins to recover from the pandemic,” said AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for National Service. “Thank you to Senators Chris Coons and Bill Cassidy, and the bipartisan cosponsors for saluting these unsung service heroes and for elevating service. In the last year, Congress made historic investments in our national service programs that are helping to strengthen and expand AmeriCorps so more Americans of all ages and backgrounds have the opportunity to serve.”
Last year, Congress expanded the agency’s role and increased members’ living allowances, due in part to the outsized role of AmeriCorps members in communities’ pandemic response.
- 270,000 members and volunteers in organizations dedicated to strengthening their community.
- 12,000 public, private, and charter schools supported by AmeriCorps tutors and mentors.
- 9,400 members and volunteers engaged in COVID-19 emergency response.
- 15.6 million pounds of food collected and distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 100,000 wellness checks conducted during the pandemic.
- Nearly 500,000 veterans and military families connected to education opportunities, jobs, and the benefits they have earned.
- 100,000 individuals assisted with job training and work placement programs annually.
- 365,000 elderly Americans provided with independent living services annually.
- $6.4 million in AmeriCorps investment, including more than $4.5 million in federal funding to support cost-effective community solutions, working hand in hand with local partners.
- 192 service locations and 1,327 members of all ages and backgrounds united to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity in Delaware.
- Approximately 4.9 million hours worked and more than $12.6 million in education awards earned by more than 3,400 Delaware residents since 1994.
- More than $5.3 million in education award payments to higher education institutions and other organizations in Delaware.
The full text of the resolution is available here.
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