Governor Rendell Encourages Citizen Service, Thanks 28,000 Pennsylvanians at Start of National AmeriCorps Week

Press Release

GOVERNOR RENDELL ENCOURAGES CITIZEN SERVICE, THANKS 28,000 PENNSYLVANIANS AT START OF NATIONAL AMERICORPS WEEK

EVENTS STATEWIDE MARK EXPANSION OF SERVICE PROGRAM

Governor Edward G. Rendell today proclaimed this week as National AmeriCorps Week in Pennsylvania and thanked the more than 28,000 young Pennsylvanians who have given more than 35.8 million hours of citizen service to the program since 1994.

"Our commonwealth is grateful to these young men and women, who have helped to improve the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens, strengthen our education system, protect our environment, enhance public safety and improve key historic and recreational attractions," said Governor Rendell. "Through their invaluable citizen service, they have strengthened their communities and their own skills while inspiring other young people to contribute."

AmeriCorps members will be celebrated at events across Pennsylvania this week. Major events are planned for May 12 in Pittsburgh and May 14 in Philadelphia, where Karen Kaskey, executive director of PennSERVE: the Governor's Office of Citizen Service, will present Governor Rendell's National AmeriCorps Week proclamation. PennSERVE administers and distributes approximately three-quarters of AmeriCorps grant funding in Pennsylvania. The remainder is distributed by the federal Corporation for National and Community Service directly to national organizations in the state.

"AmeriCorps, and other Corporation for National and Community Service programs such as Learn and Serve America, SeniorCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA, provide highly effective ways to engage Americans of all ages and backgrounds in citizen service," said Governor Rendell. "Now, as AmeriCorps expands through the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, both signed into law by President Obama, Pennsylvanians have even more opportunities to take part."

The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act expands AmeriCorps nationally from 75,000 to more than 250,000 participants a year by 2017. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes $201 million in economic stimulus funding to support the expansion of AmeriCorps State and National Programs.

In Pennsylvania, there are approximately 3,200 AmeriCorps members currently serving more than 200 organizations. Upon the completion of their service, members receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of up to $4,725 to pay for college, graduate school or to pay qualified student loans. During their service, members may receive a living allowance, health coverage, child care, training and student loan deferment. Members who serve part-time receive a partial education award.

Beginning in October the education award will increase to $5,350, and people age 55 and older can earn $1,000 education awards that they can transfer to a child, grandchild or even someone they've mentored. Additionally, students in grades 6-12 can earn a $500 education award for helping in their communities in a new summer program.

"In a recession, service programs like AmeriCorps become an even more valuable resource for participants to gain skills and money for their education, and for nonprofit organizations to gain helping hands they desperately need," said Governor Rendell. "Events taking place across the commonwealth this week highlight the constructive work being done throughout the year by Pennsylvanians engaged in citizen service."

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