Tallahassee—Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman today announced that Tallahassee will host the city’s first-ever AmeriCorps NCCC team. AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) strengthens communities and develops leaders by deploying individuals age 18-24 to communities across the nation to provide direct, team-based community service. The nine-member Tallahassee team will be hosted by the Tallahassee Food Network and the Greater Frenchtown Revitalization Council.
“We are delighted to welcome these young service leaders to Tallahassee,” said Mayor Gillum. “One of the reasons Tallahassee was honored as an All-American City is because we continue to collaborate with innovative organizations like Volunteer Florida and AmeriCorps NCCC to meet our citizens’ diverse needs.”
In partnership with the Tallahassee Food Network and the Greater Frenchtown Revitalization Council, the AmeriCorps NCCC team will serve at the IGrow Urban Farm on Dunn Street and the IGrow Urban Farm on Orange Avenue. They will construct raised beds and aquaponics systems, as well as building fencing and clearing areas for plantings. The team will also tutor at-risk students who are enrolled in the IGrow program and participate in infrastructure improvements to the Frenchtown Marketplace on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.
“As the Governor’s Lead Agency for volunteerism and service in Florida, Volunteer Florida is proud to welcome nine young servant leaders to the Capital City for the next eight weeks,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman. “We are especially excited that the NCCC team will provide mentoring and tutoring to at-risk students. We can’t wait to see the results of their hard work!”
“The Greater Frenchtown Revitalization Council works with the Tallahassee Food Network to grow sustainable, community-based food that encourages community self-reliance,” said Miaisha Mitchell, Executive Director of the Greater Frenchtown Revitalization Council. “We are thrilled to have the AmeriCorps NCCC team in Tallahassee to help with our urban farms so that we can increase access to fresh, affordable food.”
AmeriCorps NCCC partners with non-profits—secular and faith based—as well as local municipalities, state governments, federal government, national and state parks, Indian tribes, and schools. To learn more, visit this link.
Volunteer Florida is the Governor’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service in Florida. Volunteer Florida grants funds to educational foundations, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations to administer AmeriCorps and National Service Programs. Volunteer Florida leads Florida’s national days of service, including September 11 and Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. During disasters, Volunteer Florida is the lead agency for volunteers and donations. For more information, visit: www.volunteerflorida.org.