SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $900,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT AMERICORPS VISTA MEMBERS THROUGHOUT NEW YORK CITY

Funding Will Be Used to Mitigate Poverty Through Access to Healthy Meals, Affordable Housing Options, and Job Training

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $927,135 in funding for three organizations that work to mitigate poverty through a variety of services. The funding, provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), will support 61 AmeriCorps VISTA members in organizations throughout New York City. The funding will help these organizations address food insecurity, expand affordable housing opportunities, and provide job and skills training.

“AmeriCorps is one of the world's greatest service programs and this funding will go a long way to help, not just for the members who serve, but for the people who will benefit from the hard work and dedication of the program and its volunteers,” said Senator Schumer. “The quality and diversity of these organizations, together with the contributions of their AmeriCorps members, will make a huge difference in improving the quality of life for those vulnerable people in need, particularly with economic and food self-sufficiency, affordable housing and job training."

“AmeriCorps members are indispensable to the communities they serve,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Through their projects, members are able to help some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers get access to healthy food, safe and reliable housing, and good paying jobs. I will continue to do everything I can to support more national service opportunities that provide our communities the resources they need to thrive."

“The AmeriCorps program does incredible work across our nation and right here in New York City. As a longtime supporter in Congress of the AmeriCorps program, I am glad this federal funding is being brought to help those most at risk and suffering from poverty. I commend the AmeriCorps volunteers for dedicating their time and energy to giving back to their community and for their commitment to service,” said Congressman Nadler.

“The significant funding dedicated to New York State Homes and Community Renewal will go far to preserve and protect affordable housing in my district and expand affordable housing opportunities for all New Yorkers,” said Congresswoman Maloney. “We must continue to alleviate poverty in New York, and provide the critical resources that these incredible organizations need to flourish.”

“AmeriCorps/VISTA projects get things done fighting poverty and hunger while promoting community, opportunity, and responsibility. We are thrilled to again partner with the federal government to sponsor VISTA projects state-wide in New York. We thank Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for their strong support of such vital efforts,” said Joel Berg, CEO, Hunger Free America.

AmeriCorps VISTA is national service program created in 1965 to alleviate poverty in America. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve full-time for one year at non-profit organizations, schools, or local government agencies to carry out vital projects within their communities. In 2017, 8,500 AmeriCorps VISTA members served at 4,500 locations across the United States. They assisted more than 140,000 veterans and military families, connecting them to jobs, education, and resources, helped serve more than 3 million disadvantaged youth, and worked on 80 projects that address opioid addiction and recovery.

A list of organizations awarded the funding for New York City can be found below:

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