Michigan's AmeriCorps Members to Build Four Houses in One Day

WHEN:

Saturday, June 21, 2003

Press Conference:  10:30 a.m.

Service Project:  8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Battle Creek, Michigan
The Washington Heights area, at the corner of Helen Montgomery and Washington Streets

WHO:           

300+ Michigan’s AmeriCorps Members from across Michigan will be participating in the project.  (Members from the following areas will be present:  Ann Arbor, Charlevoix, Coldwater, Detroit, East Lansing, Eaton Rapids, Ecorse, Flint, Grand Rapids, Holland, Houghton, Ionia, Lansing, Muskegon, Pontiac, Rochester, Saginaw, Southgate, and Ypsilanti.) 

Joining in the day’s activities will be:

• Senator Mark Schauer, Battle Creek
• Senator Valde Garcia, Howell
• Representative Clark Bisbee, Jackson
• Representative David Farhat, Muskegon
• Representative Mike Nofs, Battle Creek
• Representative Daniel Paletko, Dearborn Heights
• Russell Mawby, Chair Emeritus, W.K. Kellogg Foundation

WHAT:          

The Michigan’s AmeriCorps Signature Service Project, being dedicated as the Russ Mawby Signature Service Project, includes a Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build and a variety of neighborhood projects.  In just one day, AmeriCorps members will:

• Build four Habitat for Humanity homes,
• Landscape and beautify the neighborhood and several neighborhood parks,
• Build 10 sheds for Habitat homes in the neighborhood,
• Help prepare the Leila Arboretum’s Children’s Garden, and more.

BACKGROUND:

The Russ Mawby Signature Service Project is an annual event.  Each year AmeriCorps members from all around the state join together for a day of service.  By the end of the day, projects are completed, showing members and the community the power of volunteers in action.

Michigan's AmeriCorps is similar to a domestic Peace Corps.  Programs are housed within nonprofit organizations, schools, and other agencies throughout the state.  Individuals, called members, serve in these organizations to meet community needs around education, public safety, the environment, and other human needs.  In an average year, 700 AmeriCorps members help improve the lives of more than 115,000 people and recruit approximately 19,000 volunteers.

The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) funds and supports programs that encourage all Michigan residents to volunteer.  Annually, the MCSC grants more than $7.5 million in federal funds and $780,000 in state funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities.