The Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service (MCVS) has announced today from its Jackson headquarters, five public forums will be held to announce the availability of federal funds to support new Mississippi AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America programs.
Delta State University, along with other educational institutions, governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations are all eligible to apply for national service funding. The forums will begin at 1:30 p.m. in each of the following five cities, with the DSU Center for Community and Economic Development playing host to the Oct. 18 forum.
Natchez will play host to the Oct. 12 forum, with Tupelo on Oct. 19; Meridian on Oct. 25 and Jackson on Nov. 1.
AmeriCorps, similar to a domestic Peace Corps, is a national service network that provides opportunities for participants, called members, to serve their communities and assist in building the capacity of nonprofit organizations. AmeriCorps programs provide human and other resources to local and national nonprofit organizations to build their capacity to meet local needs.
Grants support organizations that use volunteer service as a strategy for addressing needs while also fostering an ethic of civic responsibility in participants. These grants initiate, improve, or expand the ability of organizations and communities to provide services to address local unmet environmental, educational, public safety (including disaster preparedness and response), or other human needs. Within these issue areas, programs may submit proposals that address specific problems of local communities.
In exchange for a year of service, AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance, health care benefits, child care assistance (if income eligible), and extensive training. Upon successful completion of the year of service, full-time AmeriCorps members receive an education award of $4,725 to further their higher education or to repay qualified past college loans.
The Mississippi State Program Office of the Corporation for National and Community Service will also participate in these forums and will share information about the AmeriCorps*VISTA and Senior Corps programs.
To register for any of these forums, including Jackson, or to receive additional information on national service and program eligibility, call or email Judy Stein at (601) 432-6224 or 1-888-353-1793, judy@mcvs.org, or visit the website at www.MCVS.org.
For more information on a local level, please contact Delta State Center for Community and Economic Development Director, Deborah Moore at (662) 846-4339.
