North Carolina’s commitment to community service and volunteerism has been significantly bolstered by a substantial grant. VolunteerNC recently reported that it has secured over $13.2 million in funding from AmeriCorps, the federal body dedicated to national service and volunteerism.
Governor Josh Stein expressed his support for the initiative, stating, “Whether it’s mentoring students, helping communities recover from disaster, or reducing barriers to medical access, AmeriCorps Volunteers are making a difference in North Carolinians’ lives.” He further added that these funds will enable 600 more volunteers to address the state’s urgent needs, equipping them with valuable skills and experience for future endeavors.
AmeriCorps State and National, a collaborative federal-state effort with essential involvement from state service commissions like VolunteerNC, is instrumental in shaping state-specific service programs. The newly acquired grants will facilitate organizations in recruiting, training, and overseeing AmeriCorps Volunteers to enhance their programs.
The allocation of these funds will empower AmeriCorps NC to effectively utilize the talents of its volunteers across North Carolina, tackling critical local issues. Volunteer efforts will encompass a wide range of activities, including tutoring and mentoring youth, providing arts education, assisting high school students with career and educational guidance, improving healthcare access in underserved areas, addressing food insecurity, environmental restoration, and strengthening local government and nonprofit operations.
Individuals interested in becoming AmeriCorps Volunteers through the AmeriCorps NC program can find more information on participation and application procedures by visiting AmeriCorps NC Programs | nc.gov.
Briles Johnson, Executive Director of VolunteerNC, highlighted the impact of the program, noting, “Annually, more than 600 AmeriCorps NC Volunteers serve in 89 counties, providing an essential volunteer workforce in health care, education, healthy futures, environmental stewardship, and capacity building in local governments and nonprofits.” Johnson also emphasized the dual benefit of these opportunities, which not only enhance communities but also offer career pathways for volunteers, addressing employment gaps in diverse areas.
VolunteerNC, part of the Governor’s Office, promotes service and volunteerism to enhance lives and communities while fostering civic engagement in North Carolina. The division manages state AmeriCorps programs, Disaster Services, the Governor’s Page Program, and Volunteer Service. More details can be found at VolunteerNC | nc.gov.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, the national agency for service and volunteerism, offers Americans the chance to serve domestically, addressing pressing national challenges while enhancing community life and civic engagement. Annually, the agency places over 185,000 AmeriCorps Volunteers in intensive service roles and empowers countless others to volunteer in various capacities. For more information, visit AmeriCorps.gov.
AmeriCorps welcomes individuals from all backgrounds to join the national service community, offering opportunities for personal and professional growth, along with service benefits. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/Serve.
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