In a continuing effort to promote the health and safety of Kentuckians, Gov. Andy Beshear announced more than $25 million in AmeriCorps grant funding, along with private and public matching funds, that will help Kentuckians with social and education needs, including housing assistance, food and more.
"I want to thank AmeriCorps and the 24 other sponsor organizations for their support and hard work in helping us improve the lives of our Kentucky families and communities," Beshear said. "Team Kentucky is committed to building a better future for all of our people and this support shows us what we can accomplish when we work together." The funds include $14 million in AmeriCorps federal grants, combined with $6.7 million in private and public matching funds. The awards will provide help with housing and food to Kentuckians in need and will provide tutoring, teaching, and other educational services for students in all grade levels through post-secondary education. The funds also help health departments, senior centers and hospice facilities meet the basic needs of Kentuckians.
Funds will also provide $5 million in education awards for AmeriCorps program participants. After completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps members are eligible for $6,495 for college, postsecondary education or to pay back student loans.
The funding breakdown includes:
- more than $8.9 million in national competitive grant funding for nine AmeriCorps programs, including two new Public Health AmeriCorps programs;
- $5.1 million in American Rescue Plan and formula grant funding to support additional state programs;
- $6.9 million in local cash or in-kind match from AmeriCorps program sponsors; and
- $4.8 million in education awards from AmeriCorps.
Examples of awardees include:
Christian Appalachian Project, an organization with which Kentuckians have become more familiar following the flooding and mudslides. The organization hosts 96 part-time AmeriCorps members and provides housing development and repair, emergency utility and crisis assistance, hunger relief, infant/toddler care, preschool, in-school, after-school and summer education, teen leadership development, aging-in-place services, support for persons with disabilities, disaster relief, mental health counseling and volunteer generation and support for residents in Eastern Kentucky.
Homes for All, a program in which 39 full-time AmeriCorps members provide housing services to individuals experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity or are in search of affordable housing opportunities in Kentucky.
"AmeriCorps members with Christian Appalachian Project build hope and transform lives across some of the highest-poverty communities in Appalachian Kentucky," said Guy Adams, president and chief executive officer for Christian Appalachian Project. Whether they are teaching in our preschool, feeding the hungry through our food pantries, mentoring youth in our teen leadership initiative, or providing families with much-needed home repair, AmeriCorps members help CAP expand our capacity and ultimately transform more lives in the commonwealth."
"The statewide Homes for All program provides communities and our partner organizations resources to address the most fundamental need: a place to call home," said Adrienne Bush, executive director of the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky. "We are delighted to partner with AmeriCorps, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and Serve Kentucky, so that we can work with local partners across the commonwealth to solve homelessness and fulfill the promise of an affordable home."
Through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Serve Kentucky administers 24 AmeriCorps program grants with federal ?funds and supports other statewide community service programs.
Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander praised AmeriCorps for its support. Program funding, he noted, impacts Kentucky's quest to build more resilient communities. Friedlander said, "As Team Kentucky moves forward with building a better commonwealth following natural disaster after natural disaster, the pandemic and other impacts, the programs supported will play a significant role in making Kentuckians and the places they live more resilient and ready for a brighter future."
Serve Kentucky Executive Director Joe Bringardner said that AmeriCorps funding helps provide services including disaster relief, assistance to aging Kentuckians, K-12 tutoring and mentoring, college readiness support, housing assistance, environmental education, support for public health and food support services across the commonwealth. Bringardner noted, "Serve Kentucky plays a support role in disaster response and we are proud to partner with the Beshear administration. AmeriCorps members use their talents, their vision and their boundless energy to establish immediate and long-lasting change in Kentucky."
AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations, which spur members to strengthen communities. This is done through faith-based and nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, local government entities and state agencies.
Categories: Kentucky, Education