to increase health access, strengthen communities
LANSING – The Michigan Community Service Commission today announced that Michigan has received $15.5 million in AmeriCorps funding to support the work of over 1,100 AmeriCorps members as they tackle some of the state’s toughest challenges, including disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, education, health and public safety.
“Michigan’s hardworking AmeriCorps members are on the ground every day in communities across our state, serving Michiganders and tackling some of the toughest challenges facing Michigan families,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “We owe it to them to have their back and support them with the resources they need to carry out their vital mission. This $15.5 million investment will support AmeriCorps’ work to grow economic opportunity, protect natural resources, invest in health and public safety, and help communities get back on their feet after natural disasters. Let’s keep working together to make a difference for Michiganders and build a state where everyone can envision a bright future for themselves.”
The $15.5 million in federal funding – a $3 million increase from the previous year – includes Public Health AmeriCorps funding to increase health access in the state. Public Health AmeriCorps is a partnership between the AmeriCorps agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supported by a five-year, $400 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act, created to help meet public health needs of local communities by advancing health equity and increasing access to care while also creating pathways to public health-related careers.
“AmeriCorps is proud to support more than 20 local organizations across the state of Michigan through a $15.5 million investment to improve education outcomes, increase health access equity, address the climate crisis, and boost economic opportunities for all,” said Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO.
AmeriCorps funds will support 23 Michigan organizations to expand their reach and impact in Michigan communities. Organizations receiving grants include:
- Albion College
- Cherry Health (PHA)
- Child & Family Services of Northwestern MI
- City of Ann Arbor
- City Year
- Community Economic Development Association of MI
- Community Development Advocates of Detroit
- Eastern MI University
- Hannan Center
- Hope Network
- Huron Pines
- Ingham County Health Department (PHA)
- MI Coalition Against Homelessness
- MI College Access Network
- MI Primary Care Association (PHA)
- MI Sustainable Business Forum
- Peckham, Inc.
- SEEDS
- Special Olympics MI
- Teach for America
- United Way of Genesee County
- Urban Neighborhood Initiatives
- Wayne State University
“AmeriCorps members continue to make an impact on the state’s most pressing issues,” said Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director Ginna Holmes. “The investment in service in Michigan will continue to improve the lives of residents across the state, ensuring more Michiganders have an equal opportunity to prosperity.”
These investments build on previous AmeriCorps funding – like the $7.1 million into the AmeriCorps Urban Safety Program at Wayne State University since 2010 that helped more than 75,000 Detroiters engage with program activities.
“AmeriCorps funding has allowed the Urban Safety Program to address some of the most significant challenges and urgent needs that have confronted the Detroit community,” said program director Ramona Washington. “It has been critical to the program goal of building community practices that guarantee equity and inclusion in public health and safety.”
During the last program year, AmeriCorps members served 30,436 youth, treated 596 acres of public land, provided health services to 16,930 individuals, and distributed 112,097 pounds of food and addressed a variety of other issues throughout the state.
AmeriCorps’ unique model means that the grants announced today will leverage an additional $10.2 million in matching funds from the private sector, foundations, and other sources, increasing the return on the federal funds, and bringing the total investment to $25.7 million.
The AmeriCorps agency will provide an additional $5.1 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for AmeriCorps members. Upon completion of a full-time term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an education award of $6,895, or a pro-rated amount for less than full-time service, that they can use to cover the cost of college or pay back student loans.
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BACKGROUND: The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) utilizes service as a strategy to address the state’s most pressing issues and empowers volunteers to strengthen communities. In 2022-2023, the MCSC is granting more than $21 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. Michigan’s AmeriCorps, Mentor Michigan and Volunteer Michigan are premier programs of the MCSC. The MCSC is housed in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/volunteer.
