Gov. Nixon Announces $4 Million in Americorps Funding to Support Almost 700 Positions in Missouri to Meet Local Needs

Press Release

Gov. Jay Nixon today participated in a roundtable focused on the state's increased capacity to shelter and feed large numbers of people following natural disasters. The discussion, part of Safer, Stronger Missouri Week, was with leaders of faith-based and volunteer groups, as well as state and local emergency response officials, at Crown Pointe Church in Lee's Summit.

Gov. Nixon also announced Missouri has received a $4 million grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to support 693 AmeriCorps members across the state. Following natural disasters, including the deadly 2011 Joplin tornado, AmeriCorps members were instrumental in the state's response efforts.

"Over the years, AmeriCorps has been an outstanding partner in our efforts to ensure a safer, stronger Missouri," said Gov. Nixon. "AmeriCorps is a respected organization that helps young people develop civic and leadership skills, while providing much needed service to communities in need. This $4 million grant will go a long way in continuing the good work of this terrific organization."

"AmeriCorps members make a powerful impact on the toughest challenges facing our nation," said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers AmeriCorps. "Building on Missouri's strong tradition of neighbor helping neighbor, AmeriCorps members will improve lives and strengthen communities across the state. As they serve others, AmeriCorps members will also expand opportunity for themselves - gaining skills and experience to jumpstart their careers. We congratulate all the Missouri organizations who received funding this year, and thank all AmeriCorps members for their service."

Today's roundtable also highlighted the expanded capabilities and cooperation with state and local disaster response and recovery efforts of Missouri's faith-based and volunteer partners.

Under Gov. Nixon's direction, the State Emergency Management Agency has coordinated regional and local training at churches and other houses of worship to expand Missouri's cadre of disaster response volunteers. Since 2009, more than 2,500 individuals have been trained. As a result of increased volunteer participation and additional shelter certification, Missouri's disaster sheltering capacity has increased from less than 10,000 in 2009 to more than 51,000 today. In eastern Jackson County, sheltering capacity has increased from 200 people in 2009, to 16,000 today.

Missouri state and local agencies now routinely coordinate with faith-based and volunteer organizations to establish "one-stop" shops, called Multi-Agency Resource Centers or MARCs, for disaster survivors to access services to assist their recovery. Resources typically include assistance with housing, mental health counseling, clean up and hygiene kits, insurance claim issues, and long-term recovery case management.

After the May 22, 2011 EF-5 Joplin tornado, one of deadliest and most destructive in U.S. history, the full impact of Missouri's volunteer assistance network became clear to the nation. Red Cross volunteers opened a shelter at Joplin's Missouri Southern State University, which had just become a certified shelter site the month before. Faith-based and volunteer groups delivered far more than food and clothing. For example, the Missouri Baptist Convention operated child care units so parents could tend to immediate needs, Catholic Charities operated a distribution center for donated goods, Convoy of Hope volunteers operated heavy equipment to demolish home foundations and expedite rebuilding, AmeriCorps handled volunteer registration and management and thousands streamed to assist Joplin. Over the first six months alone, more than 113,000 registered volunteers provided more than 688,000 hours of volunteer labor.

Participants in today's roundtable included Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Lane Roberts; State Emergency Management Agency Director Ron Walker; Michael Curry, Jackson County Emergency Preparedness Director; Dante Gliniecki, Independence Emergency Management Director; Erin Lynch, Mid-America Regional Council Emergency Services Director; Sunny Jones, Catholic Charities of Kansas City; Dwain Carter, director of disaster relief, Missouri Baptists; Jody Dickhaut, Missouri Volunteers Active in Disasters; Kenan Ender, AmeriCorps St. Louis; Deb Abner, The Salvation Army; Kam Kennedy, American Red Cross; Don Stamper, Missouri Community Service Commission; and Gary Thurman, Kansas City United Way 211.

This week, Gov. Nixon has taken part in Safer, Stronger Missouri events around the state focusing on Missouri's expanded capacity to respond to and recover from disasters. Other events have focused on Missouri's expanded capability to respond to public health threats; funding and construction of community tornado safe rooms, particularly in schools; disaster response and recovery coordination with Missouri's faith-based and volunteer partner organizations; design and construction of MOSWIN, Missouri's interoperable radio network, which now links more than 1,140 public safety and other agencies in the state; disaster pet rescue and sheltering operations; and investment in levees to protect valuable agricultural land.

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