A program to fight crime and delinquency in
four Michigan cities, including Benton Harbor, will get nearly $160,000
more than expected.
Originally
$322,244 was set aside for the work done by AmeriCorps members as part
of the Inner City AmeriCorps Neighborhood Project.
The
Michigan Community Service Commission recently announced its funding now sits at nearly $8
million for six individual project across the state. The added funding
will allow it to deploy 1,211 AmeriCorps members to work on the
projects.
For the Inner City AmeriCorps Neighborhood Project that means 116 members, up by 50, will be at work.
The project will recruit individuals involved in the justice system to work on public service projects that provide skills and sustainable jobs in the emerging green sector.
"The
additional funding we have received from the Corporation for National
and Community Service strengthens the impact AmeriCorps will continue
to have on communities across Michigan," says Paula Kaiser VanDam, Executive Director of the Michigan Community Service Commission.
Michigan's AmeriCorps addresses some of our state's biggest challenges, VanDam says.
It
also provides individuals with opportunities to gain valuable job
skills, retrain for new careers, and the ability to stay in their home
community.
Research show that
after one year of AmeriCorps service, members are more likely to stay
in the community they served, pursue careers in the nonprofit and
public sector, and continue to be involved in civic life.
AmeriCorps
helps make college and higher education more affordable. The 1,211
AmeriCorps members will earn more than $2 million in education awards
to pay for college or repay student loans.
Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Paula Kaiser VanDam, Michigan Community Service Commission
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.