 "On this sacred day, I am humbled to recognize the fine work that
Illinois volunteers do each and every day across the state," Quinn
said. "Service is in our fabric as a state, and this AmeriCorps
grant will help grow our commitment to selflessness and service in
Illinois."
When fellow Illinoisans are in need, such as the families
affected by the recent tornado in Harrisburg, AmeriCorps members and
other dedicated volunteers consistently arrive to answer the call.
Some 2.8 million Illinois residents volunteer nearly 400 million
hours each year, which is valued at $8.6 billion annually.
This federal grant will go toward services in Illinois including
tutoring and mentoring at-risk youth, preparing communities to
respond effectively to emergencies, and building connections between
immigrants and their non-immigrant neighbors.
The Corporation for National and Community Service is the federal
agency that administers AmeriCorps, and its goal with the grant is
to develop and expand volunteer organizations across the country.
The Serve Illinois Commission, a part of the Illinois Department of
Human Services and the governor's office, administers the AmeriCorps
programs in Illinois.
"Our AmeriCorps volunteers in Illinois are on the front lines of
service, directly addressing the most challenging problems that
communities face," said Brandon Bodor, executive director of Serve
Illinois. "These volunteers are the bedrock of our volunteer
infrastructure in the state. Since 1994, more than 26,000 Illinois
AmeriCorps members have served more than 30 million hours."
AmeriCorps programs receiving funds
from the Corporation for National and Community Service:
-
American Red Cross,
Safe Families, Chicago
-
Academy for Urban
School Leadership, Chicago
-
Asian Human Services,
Chicago
-
Chicago Bar
Foundation, Illinois Justice Corps, Chicago
-
Children's Home
Association of Illinois, Peoria
-
City Year, Chicago
-
Greater Chicago Food
Depository, Chicago
-
Illinois Coalition
for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Uniting America, Chicago
-
Illinois Public
Health Association, Springfield
-
Jumpstart, Chicago
-
Lessie Bates Davis
Neighborhood House, East St. Louis
-
Literacy Volunteers
of Illinois, Project VOCAL, Chicago
-
Lutheran Social
Services, Prisoner and Family Ministry, Marion
[to top of second column] |
-
McHenry County Mental
Health Board, Crystal Lake
-
PCC Wellness Center,
Oak Park
-
Peace Corps Fellows,
Western Illinois University, Macomb
-
Project MORE,
University of Illinois board of trustees, Chicago
-
Project YES,
Northwestern University Settlement Association, Chicago
-
Public Allies,
Chicago
-
Public Health
Institute of Metro Chicago, Healthy Communities Corps, Chicago
-
Rend Lake College,
Ina
-
Sauk Valley Community
College, ABC program, Dixon
-
Schuler Family
Foundation, Chicago
-
South Suburban
Training and Rehabilitation Service, Healthy and Able program,
Chicago Heights
-
Southwestern Illinois
College, Belleville
-
Springfield Urban
League, Springfield
-
Teach For America,
Chicago
-
West Suburban PADS,
Maywood
-
Youth Organization Umbrella, Evanston
In addition, Quinn urged all Illinois residents to spend a few
hours as a volunteer, whether it be at a local food pantry, school
or shelter. To find a volunteer opportunity near you or to learn
more about the Serve Illinois Commission and volunteerism in
Illinois, visit
www.serve.illinois.gov. If you are interested in a volunteer
opportunity in your community, the Serve Illinois site lists 143,000
options. Serve Illinois may also be reached at 800-592-9896 or
dhs.serveillinois@illinois.gov.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Human Services
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
 |
