Volunteer Florida Announces $13.7 Million in Funding for Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 2019

MEDIA CONTACT Aly Coleman ​acoleman@volunteerflorida.org (850) 666-2764

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Volunteer Florida CEO, Clay Ingram, announced that Florida received $7.1 million from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to fund 10 AmeriCorps programs throughout the state in 2019-2020. Together, these programs also secured $6.6 million in local matching grants, bringing the total investment to $13.7 million.

“This funding will place over 600 AmeriCorps members in schools, local government agencies and nonprofits,” said Ingram. “Through direct, high-impact service, they will make our communities safer and stronger, while preparing future generations of Floridians to succeed.”

AmeriCorps members dedicate a year of their lives to serve in many different capacities, such as veteran support or disaster response. However, with this round of grants, Volunteer Florida prioritized education-based organizations, enabling members to mentor at-risk students and ultimately increase retention and graduation rates.

“This year, we received a $1.8 million increase in funding from CNCS,” said Autumn Karlinsky, Chair of the Volunteer Florida Commission. “Now, even more AmeriCorps members will be available to provide after-school tutoring, summer school programming and targeted interventions to prevent dropouts and encourage long-term success in school.”

During their year of service, these AmeriCorps members will gain valuable skills and professional experience. CNCS will also provide an additional $2.9 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for the members upon completion of their term, allowing them to pay off student loans or cover the cost of college – a direct investment in Florida’s higher education system, as members often remain in state to attend college.

“I want to congratulate and thank Clay Ingram for his leadership at Volunteer Florida and for this partnership with AmeriCorps,” said Richard Corcoran, Education Commissioner of Florida.  “AmeriCorps serves at-risk students in need of mentorship, tutoring and dropout prevention services, and we are grateful for these efforts that will help open up doors for our students.”

These grants will also expand the recipient organizations’ reach and impact within their respective communities. For instance, the Boys and Girls Club of Martin County – the first and only Volunteer Florida-funded AmeriCorps program in the county – will now be able to utilize members to serve elementary-school students, in addition to middle-school students.

“AmeriCorps is a powerful, yet cost-effective, resource,” said Representative MaryLynn Magar, Speaker Pro Tempore. “I’m excited to see how members with the Boys and Girls Club positively impact Martin County’s youth and the community as a whole.”

“Having AmeriCorps come to our community to partner with the Boys and Girls Club of Martin County is a great win-win for all involved,” said Senator Gayle Harrell. “The AmeriCorps volunteers receive college scholarships after completing their term and our students will have terrific mentors helping them develop invaluable life skills and encourage their future success.”

The following organizations received AmeriCorps grants:

Broward County

Firewall Centers ($329,237)

AmeriCorps members will provide in-school and after-school support to increase course performance, attendance and behavior among at-risk students in elementary, middle and high schools.

Duval County

City Year Jacksonville ($1,403,817)

AmeriCorps members will provide education services, including tutoring, attendance support and targeted school-wide interventions to improve academics, retention and overall school climate for students in elementary, middle and high schools.

Martin County

Boys and Girls Club of Martin County ($607,651.00)

AmeriCorps members will serve elementary and middle school students to increase English Language Arts skills and academic engagement.

Miami-Dade County

Branches, Inc. ($314,487)

AmeriCorps members will serve K-12 students in high-need areas of Miami-Dade County to deliver group and differentiated literacy instruction, college readiness opportunities and overall academic support.

Breakthrough Miami ($156,967)

AmeriCorps members will provide summer learning support for under-resourced students in 5-9 grades through a summer institute to improve academic, social and life skills.

City Year Miami ($2,102,994)

AmeriCorps members will provide education services, including tutoring, attendance support and targeted school-wide interventions to improve academics, retention and overall school climate for students in elementary, middle and high schools.

Overtown Youth Center, Inc. ($179,140)

AmeriCorps members will provide mentoring and career preparedness for high school students to increase workforce employability skills.

Orange County

City of Orlando ($511, 358)

AmeriCorps members will provide in-school and after-school/summer mentoring services to students to improve academics and teach social skills.

City of Orlando ($411,534)

AmeriCorps members will implement an academic advocacy and counseling program targeted at high school juniors and seniors to ensure each student graduates high school and has a designated future track (post-secondary school, technical school, military enlistment, national service or employment).

City Year Orlando ($1,104,520)

AmeriCorps members will provide education services, including tutoring, attendance support and targeted school-wide interventions to improve academics, retention and overall school climate for students in elementary, middle and high schools.

AmeriCorps funding is provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency for volunteering and service. This year marks the 25th anniversary of AmeriCorps. Since the program’s inception in 1994, more than one million Americans – including 35,000 Floridians – have served their country through the national service program.

“Building on a strong tradition of neighbor helping neighbor, AmeriCorps members will change lives, improve communities and build a safer, stronger and more united Florida,” said Chester Spellman, director of AmeriCorps. “For 25 years, the AmeriCorps members who pledge to ‘get things done’ have represented the best of America while demonstrating the great promise and ideals of our country. I salute all the AmeriCorps members who will join them, and thank those who help make their service possible.”

Organizations are currently recruiting for AmeriCorps members to begin service this fall. For more information about serving as an AmeriCorps member, please visit www.volunteerflorida.org.

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About Volunteer Florida

In 1994, Volunteer Florida was established in Florida Statutes to manage national service programs, such as AmeriCorps, and advocate for volunteerism throughout Florida. Since then, Volunteer Florida has evolved to serve as the state’s lead agency for mobilizing volunteers and coordinating donations before, during and after disasters, including managing the Florida Disaster Fund. With $43 million in federal, state and local funding, Volunteer Florida delivers high-impact volunteer programs that are engaging Floridians, transforming communities and making the state a better place to live.  For more information, please visit www.volunteerflorida.org.