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Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $14.5 Million in Maryland AmeriCorps Funding

June 29th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) today announced $14,582,888 million in AmeriCorps funding. The grants – issued by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency responsible for AmeriCorps and other national service programs – will sustain nearly 1,000 AmeriCorps members on the ground in Maryland. AmeriCorps service members will work with schools, government and nonprofit organizations across the state to tackle some of Maryland’s most pressing issues, including the opioid epidemic, youth literacy, environmental sustainability and access to quality public education.

 

“AmeriCorps has long been a reliable partner in Maryland’s efforts to improve our public schools, restore the Chesapeake Bay, help veterans find jobs and assist local communities respond to the devastating opioid epidemic,” said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Finance Committee. “These funds are an investment in those efforts. Maryland families and communities are better off across the board thanks to their AmeriCorps members’ hard work, and I’m proud to support them.”

 

“AmeriCorps volunteers do essential work throughout Maryland and are committed to meeting key public needs. I’m proud to support this funding to ensure they have the opportunity to serve our state,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees.

 

Several programs receiving funding are geared toward tackling the opioid epidemic. Salisbury University’s Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) program is one such example, receiving $53,226 in funding to continue expanding access to information about recovery options on the Eastern Shore. A complete list of Maryland programs and organizations receiving funding can be found here.

 

Every year, 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve more than 21,600 schools, nonprofits and community and faith-based organizations across the country. They tutor and mentor young people, connect veterans to jobs, care for seniors, reduce crime and revive cities, fight the opioid epidemic, and meet other critical needs. Since 1994, AmeriCorps members have provided more than 1.4 billion hours of service.

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