"VOLUNTEERISM and CITIZEN SERVICE must lead Louisiana's recovery effort." -Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu The Louisiana Serve Commission is pleased to announce Volunteer Louisiana, a website and call center that matches volunteers with service opportunities throughout the state. Visit www.volunteerlouisiana.gov or call 866-286-3835 or 225-342-3070 to find out how you can begin a summer of service.

Quality - Louisiana State Library 85% of the users of the State Library indicated that the State Library's services and resources was a good value for the State. Source: The Impact of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism on Louisiana's Economy and Quality of Life for Louisiana's Citizens - June 2006 Learn More >>

Friday, September 26, 2008

CONTACT:
Seth Harvey
(225) 342-8153
sharvey@crt.state.la.us

BATON ROUGE - For fiscal year 2008-09, The Office of the Lt. Governor, Louisiana Serve Commission has awarded $1.9 million in AmeriCorps grants to seven community-based organizations in Louisiana. Recipients of the grants include Boys & Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge, Impact Lake Charles, Louisiana Delta Service Corps, Louisiana HIPPY Corps, School Leadership Center, S.E.E. West Monroe, and ShrevCorps.

These organizations join the state's portfolio of currently-funded AmeriCorps programs: America's Wetland Conservation Corps, City Year Louisiana, Habitat for Humanity, Hands On New Orleans, Jumpstart Louisiana, New Orleans Catholic Charities, Operation Reach, Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center, St. Bernard Project, Teach for America, Trinity Christian Community, ULL AmeriCorps, and United Way of Southwest Louisiana.

Each year, the Louisiana Serve Commission grants federal AmeriCorps funding to community service programs hosted by public and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community organizations, higher education institutions, and public agencies.

"Louisiana's AmeriCorps programs have a proven track record of meeting community needs in the areas of education, disaster preparedness and recovery, the environment, and human services," said Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu. "In 2007, twenty-three AmeriCorps grants were awarded to community and faith-based organizations in thirty-two parishes. More than 900 AmeriCorps members served 1 million volunteer hours in communities across the state."

In response to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, AmeriCorps members met urgent needs including the distribution of hot meals to residents, staffing of special needs shelters, and debris clearing. Lt. Governor Landrieu applauds the service of AmeriCorps members and staff from City Year Louisiana, Habitat for Humanity, Hands On New Orleans, Louisiana Delta Service Corps, S.E.E. West Monroe, Teach for America, Trinity Christian Community, United Way of Southwest Louisiana and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette who all stepped forward and contributed many hours of valuable service during the recent disasters.

"AmeriCorps members across the state are embarking on a new year of service in their communities," said Gary Wheat, Executive Director of the Louisiana Serve Commission. "Today, we join with City Year Louisiana as more than 70 AmeriCorps members pledge to serve communities in Baton Rouge and New Orleans by tutoring and mentoring students enrolled in low-performing schools."

Jennifer Eplett-Reilly, co-founder of City Year Inc. and Board Chair of City Year Louisiana said, "We are proud to induct the fourth City Year Louisiana Corps since our creation in 2005. City Year Louisiana has already made a tremendous impact in Southeast Louisiana, and we embrace a new year of service along with our partners. Today, we take the opportunity to recognize Lt. Governor Landrieu as our City Year Louisiana Champion this year for his dedication to citizen service and to City Year Louisiana."

AmeriCorps is a national service program funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Interested AmeriCorps applicants may contact the Louisiana Serve Commission for more information at 225.342.2038.