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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 26, 2004
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CONTACT: LOLA POTTER
615.532.6597 (OFFICE)
615.202.0701 (CELL) |
TENNESSEANS CAN APPLY FOR NEW AMERICORPS GRANTS
NASHVILLE- Public and private not-for-profit agencies
in Tennessee can apply for new grants to participate in the AmeriCorps
program. AmeriCorps is known as the "domestic Peace Corps," as it
connects eligible organizations with people who want to give a year
of service in exchange for education awards that apply toward the
volunteers' college expenses.
"AmeriCorps is a terrific way for organizations to benefit from eager, service-minded
individuals - who in turn get financial help for college," said Otha Brandon, chairman of
the Tennessee Commission on National and Community Service. The commission is a 25-member
volunteer citizen board appointed by Governor Phil Bredesen to advance national and
community service and volunteerism in Tennessee. "Services delivered through AmeriCorps
have a direct impact on the lives of many Tennesseans."
Agencies interested in hosting an AmeriCorps program beginning this
fall are invited to visit the Commission on National & Community Service
website at www.state.tn.us/finance/rds/tcncs.htm.
Current grants range from $128,000 to $250,000 and programs have from
10 to 20 AmeriCorps members. Local matching funds are required, and
the federal cost per member is currently capped at $12,800. On-line
applications are due May 4, 2004. A grant information meeting is slated
for March 31.
AmeriCorps programs are now at work across Tennessee, including: early childhood education
in inner-city Memphis; tutoring at-risk youth and combating hunger in Knoxville; mobilizing
volunteers and building homes in rural Appalachia; proving reading tutoring, senior health
services and intervention services for at-risk pre-school children in Nashville; and tutoring
and preventing truancy in the Upper Cumberland area.
While Tennessee's specific share of AmeriCorps funding has not yet been determined,
nearly a half-a-(b)billion dollars is available nationally to fund 75,000 AmeriCorps
members in 2004-05.
AmeriCorps across Tennessee
EAST TENNESSEE
AmeriCorps Community Cares: Morristown
Members provide services to frail, elderly and challenged residents
in low-income public housing. |
| Program Director: Evonne Bennett |
(423) 586-7636 |
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Appalachia CARES: Greeneville
Members engage elementary and middle school students in service-learning,
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| Program Director: Trenna Brown |
(423) 639-8403 |
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Housing Service Corps: Robbins
Members build new homes and rehab existing homes for low-income
families. |
| Program Director: Terri Carroll |
(423) 627-2507 |
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CAC AmeriCorps: Knoxville
Members provide hands-on environmental education and service-learning
to K-12 students |
| Program Director: John Harris |
(865) 546-3500 |
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T.E.A.M. AmeriCorps: Knoxville
Members mentor and tutor urban children and youth and equip them
to be leaders. |
| Program Director: Amy Webb |
(865) 637-3227 |
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AmeriCorps Promise Fellows
Members mobilize every sector of American life to build the character
and competence of our nation’s youth. |
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| Knoxville’s Promise |
| Program Director: Linda Clark |
(865) 523-2775 |
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| Northeast Community Service Agency |
| Program Director: Jennifer Berven |
(423) 952-6026 |
WEST TENNESSEE
AmeriCorps Early Intervention: Memphis
Members provide inner-city families with prenatal and child development
information. |
| Program Director: Gwen Price |
(901) 577-2500, ext.159 |
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Project TLC: Memphis
Members break the cycle of child abuse and neglect and domestic
violence through education and intervention. |
| Program Director: Carol Russell |
(901) 276-2200 |
MIDDLE TENNESSEE
AmeriCorps Regional Intervention Program
Partnership: Nashville
Members enhance the lives of young children with behavioral problems
and/or developmental delays and their families. |
| Program Director: Mike Roden |
(615) 963-1177 |
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TenneSenior Service Corps: Nashville
Members provide fitness screenings and home repair for senior
citizens in Middle Tennessee. |
| Program Director: Jacie Dunkle |
(615) 385-5582 |
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School Achievement Partnership Project:
Cookeville
Members mentor, tutor and serve at-risk students and their families. |
| Program Director: John Rust |
(931) 646-4045 |
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Nashville READS Challenge Corps: Nashville
Members tutor reluctant readers in grades 1-3 and conduct parent
education workshops. |
| Program Director: Kevin Wesley |
(615) 255-4982 |
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