Rockefeller, Manchin Announce $260,000 in Federal Funding for Community Service in West Virginia
Funding Will Enable AmeriCorps Volunteers to Protect Homes, Buildings, and Forests in 16 West Virginia Counties
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin announced today that Volunteer West Virginia received $260,000 in federal funds to protect and restore the forest, public buildings, and homes in 16 counties in West Virginia.
The grant will support 20 AmeriCorps members who will remove invasive species and restore valuable forest habitat, weatherize historic public buildings and low-income homes, recruit volunteers, and expand heritage tourism attractions to develop the economy around these counties. The AmeriCorps grant comes from the Corporation for National and Community Service.
“West Virginians have a long-standing tradition of community service. This funding helps carry that tradition forward by enabling Volunteer West Virginia to provide valuable services to communities throughout the state,” said Rockefeller. “I believe in my very core that there is honor in public service and in helping people. My VISTA beginnings in Emmons changed my life and served as the foundation that shapes the work I do in Congress every day. I will always fight to make sure that AmeriCorps, VISTA, and other public service programs receive the support that they deserve.”
“Giving back to our communities – contributing our time and service to improve the places that we live for our neighbors and for future generations – is such an important principle to instill in ourselves and our children,” Manchin said. “It is no wonder that the generous and patriotic people of West Virginia exhibit a desire to give back, and make their homes, communities and our beautiful state a better place to live. I am proud of West Virginians for the service they provide and am pleased that this funding will help advance the mission of contributing to our communities.”
Background:
AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to meet critical needs. Its members serve in thousands of nonprofit and faith-based organizations in rural and urban communities throughout the nation. They tutor and mentor youth, expand health services, build affordable housing, run after-school programs, support veterans, help communities respond to disasters, and recruit and train volunteers, among other activities.
AmeriCorps, which is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, engages 80,000 people each year in intensive, results-driven service through more than 14,000 nonprofits across the country. Since 1994, more than 700,000 Americans have provided more than 860 million hours of service to their communities and country through AmeriCorps. Interested individuals can learn about available opportunities and apply online by visiting AmeriCorps.gov.
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