Cape Cod AmeriCorps Wins $425k to Preserve Vital Community Environmental, Disaster Response Projects

Press Release

Senator John Kerry announced today that the Barnstable County Cape Cod AmeriCorps Program will receive $425,600 in federal funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS.)

The funding will help the program, which has been in operation for more than 12 years, continue to tackle community needs in environmental stewardship and disaster services. AmeriCorps projects are designed to preserve natural resources, mitigate wildfires, prepare the community for disasters, educate students and community members on the environmental issues, and engage community volunteers. This service has resulted in improvements in public lands, trails and waterways and stronger community disaster response capabilities in 15 towns on Cape Cod.

"Budget cuts threatened to gut this effort on the Cape and we had to fight hard to make our case. One of the best parts of being a US Senator is when you can pick up the phone and get someone's attention and advocate for Massachusetts in a personal way. I couldn't be happier or more grateful that it worked. This is about building community," said Sen. Kerry. "This investment will keep these young people working to preserve the surrounding area, educate people on environmental issues, and improve disaster response skills."

Due to budget cuts in the national AmeriCorps program, the Barnstable program's funding had been delayed. In a recent call to Robert Velasco, Chief Operating Officer at CNCS, Senator Kerry emphasized the importance of the Barnstable County Cape Cod AmeriCorps Program to the local community and pushed for its application for funding.

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