Milwaukee area AmeriCorps programs awarded $9 million in new grant funding

AmeriCorps-affiliated programs in the Milwaukee area will receive more than $9 million in new grant funding.

The funding will support the work of 789 AmeriCorps members in the Milwaukee area.

The grants include:

• College Possible: $448,560. Through the program, AmeriCorps members support low-income students by providing academic and college preparation programming in Milwaukee.
• Milwaukee Christian Center – YouthBuild: $172,082. YouthBuild provides young adults ages 18-25 with education and hands-on construction training while building homes for low/moderate income families.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee will receive two grants: $91,889 for the AmeriCorps Academic & Career Planning program in 10 Milwaukee Public Schools high schools, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee home office and the Adult Learning Center; and $277,453 for the Education through Art, Reading and Nature after-school program.
• Public Allies Milwaukee will receive $675,224. Through the program, AmeriCorps members provide capacity building services to 25 nonprofit organizations throughout the Milwaukee area.

In total, Wisconsin will receive $21.2 million in new AmeriCorps funding, according to an announcement from U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s office.

The competitive grants were awarded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that oversees AmeriCorps programs.

“Building on a strong tradition of neighbor helping neighbor, AmeriCorps members will change lives, improve communities, and build a safer, stronger, and more united Wisconsin,” said Chester Spellman, director of AmeriCorps. “For 25 years, the AmeriCorps members who pledge to ‘get things done’ have represented the best of America while demonstrating the great promise and ideals of our country.”