Nevada Volunteers, the Governor’s Commission on Service, will present the Nevada Legislature in Carson City on February 28, 2013 at 9:45 a.m., a check of $679,276. Nevada Volunteers distributes the AmeriCorps*State funding allocated to Nevada from Congress and is the state authority on volunteer information.
“This check represents the value of AmeriCorps members and all the volunteers they recruited last year to address unmet needs throughout Nevada” said Shawn Lecker-Pomaville, CEO of Nevada Volunteers. “By providing the modest state match to this federal funding and investing in service as a strategy to solve problems, Nevada’s leaders saved the state $679,276.”
AmeriCorps*State is a cost-effective program that provides direct, results-driven services in the areas of education, human services, public safety and the environment. AmeriCorps service gives individuals an avenue to help their communities while gaining real world experience and earning an education award. During the grant year of 2011-2012 alone, 308 AmeriCorps members served 259,930 hours and recruited an additional 3,579 volunteers. This impact in Nevada communities continues to multiply each year.
Upon completion of a member’s term of service, he or she is offered an education award equal to the Pell Grant, which can be used to pay for college, graduate school, vocational training, purchase educational supplies, or to repay student loans. Those 55 and older during their time of service, can transfer their Educational Award to children, grandchildren or foster children.