Service Projects held Statewide

Lansing, Michigan - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today declared the week of May 13, 2007, as Michigan's AmeriCorps Week. The first-ever AmeriCorps Week marks a historic milestone as the 13,500th Michigan's AmeriCorps members takes the pledge to "get things done for America."  Nationally, the 500,000th AmeriCorps member will be sworn in.

AmeriCorps Week is a nationwide effort to bring more Americans into service, salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible.  The Michigan Community Service Commission, chaired by First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern, is coordinating Michigan's AmeriCorps Week activities.

"AmeriCorps members are truly ‘walking the walk' in our communities," said Mulhern.  "They are rolling up their sleeves and leading by example.  They are addressing challenging issues and bringing hope to those in need."

AmeriCorps Week activities are happening all over the state of Michigan including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Benton Harbor, Lansing, Muskegon, Holland, Marquette, Charlevoix, Ionia, Williamston, and Houghton.   Projects range in scope from a children's book drive to remodeling a women's shelter to dune restoration.  All projects are showcasing the power of AmeriCorps members and alumni and educating people about the role, impact, and importance of AmeriCorps in our communities.

Ask an AmeriCorps member about the children they've taught, houses they've built or volunteers they've recruited, and you will not only hear numbers, you'll learn the names of students, addresses of new homes, and places where new volunteers have served.  This is because AmeriCorps members work directly with the people or causes that need their help the most.

AmeriCorps members take on the challenges their communities face.  They believe in the AmeriCorps motto of  "getting things done," and are part of the solution.  Michigan's AmeriCorps programs are housed within nonprofit organizations, schools, or other agencies.  Each program sets its own goals to help meet local education, public safety, environmental, and human needs.  The host organizations receive federal funding from the Michigan Community Service Commission to recruit, place, and support AmeriCorps members.  These members serve full- or part-time for at least one year to help meet the goals defined by each program.  The federal funding is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

In a recent report released by the MCSC, Michigan's AmeriCorps members:

• Completed nearly 700,000 hours of service and training last year.
• Recruited more than 25,000 volunteers who served more than 158,500 hours in 2006.
• Will earn more than $3 million in post-service education awards in 2007.

For more information about AmeriCorps Week or to learn more about specific projects, visit www.michigan.gov/mcsc.

BACKGROUND:

AmeriCorps is commonly described as the "domestic Peace Corps."  Individuals, called members, commit to a specific term of service-usually one year-and are housed in nonprofit organizations, schools or other agencies.  Members range in age from 17 to 70+ years of age and represent a wide spectrum of other demographics.  Upon successful completion of their service, members earn an education award to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans.  During their service, members may also be eligible to receive a modest living allowance, health insurance, childcare, and student loan deferment.  Michigan's AmeriCorps, administered by the Michigan Community Service Commission, currently has 21 AmeriCorps programs and engages 994 members.

The Michigan Community Service Commission builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism.  In 2006-07, the MCSC is granting more than $6.2 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities.  The MCSC is funding 21 AmeriCorps programs, 33 Learn and Serve programs.  In 2005-06, these programs engaged more than 1 million students in service-learning and 76,500 others in volunteer activities.  The Governor's Service Awards and Mentor Michigan are the MCSC's other premier programs.  The MCSC is housed in the Michigan Department of Human Services, whose mission is to assist children, families, and vulnerable adults to be safe, stable, and self-supporting.  The Corporation for National and Community Service grants the federal funding the MCSC administers.

The Corporation for National and Community Service plays a vital role in supporting the American culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility.  They are a catalyst for change and champion for the ideal that every American has skills and talents to give.  The Corporation is the nation's largest grantmaker supporting service and volunteering. Through the AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America programs, they provide opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to express their patriotism while addressing critical community needs.