Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has declared the week of May 9 through May 16, 2009, as Michigan's AmeriCorps Week.  AmeriCorps Week will engage AmeriCorps members from across Michigan in "getting things done" during this third annual celebration.

AmeriCorps Week is a recruitment and recognition campaign designed to involve more Americans in service, salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible.  AmeriCorps Week provides an opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program partners, and friends to shine a spotlight on the service completed by members in communities across the country-and to motivate more Americans to join AmeriCorps or volunteer in their communities.

As part of a nationwide effort, AmeriCorps Week events are happening across the country.  They include statewide AmeriCorps gatherings, award ceremonies, community service projects, recruitment fairs, and more.  This year, the Michigan's AmeriCorps Russ Mawby Signature Service Project has been designated as the national AmeriCorps Week closing event.  The Signature Service Project, taking place on May 15-16, will bring together more than 250 AmeriCorps members to assist with building and landscaping projects in Flint's Grand Traverse neighborhood.  Members will also help construct a new play structure for area children in Memorial Park.  This unique event is coordinated by Genesee County Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, and the Michigan Community Service Commission.

First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern, chair of the Michigan Community Service Commission is encouraging Michigan's AmeriCorps members to actively serve throughout the week and spread the word about their efforts.  "Our AmeriCorps members devote their heroic efforts to making our communities better," said Mulhern.  "We recognize their efforts this week as they roll up their sleeves to help those in need in our communities."

AmeriCorps Week activities are happening all over Michigan including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Houghton, and Marquette.   Projects range in scope from a watershed restoration project in Black River to healthy eating and physical activity workshops in Petoskey.  All projects will showcase the power of AmeriCorps members and alumni and educate the public 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, but you'll learn the names of students, addresses of 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 believe in the AmeriCorps motto of "getting things done," and are part of the solution communities seek.  Michigan's AmeriCorps programs are housed within nonprofit, public agencies, faith-based, and other community organizations.  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. 

In 2008-2009, more than 1,200 AmeriCorps members will impact Michigan and its communities through 367 nonprofits.  These members help mentor youth, provide housing resources, assist medically uninsured residents with gaining affordable healthcare services, respond to local and national disasters, and much more.

"Nonprofits are experiencing an increased demand for services and decreased funding and resources," said Paula Kaiser VanDam, Executive Director of the Michigan Community Service Commission.  "AmeriCorps helps nonprofits respond to those increased needs."

In a recent report released by the MCSC, 2008 Michigan's AmeriCorps members:

• Completed nearly 600,000 hours of service and training.
• Recruited more than 24,000 volunteers who served more than 165,000 hours.
• Impacted over 160,000 students, citizens, and volunteers.
• Earned $1.61 million in education awards for successfully completing their term of service.

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