Texas nonprofits seek more than 3,500 AmeriCorps members to meet local community needs
AUSTIN – OneStar announced today that Texas received $33.5 million from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. This funding will be distributed to 41 organizations across the state to engage 3,526 AmeriCorps members in local communities.
In the coming year, AmeriCorps members will address pressing social challenges in Texas through a variety of service opportunities, such as serving as tutors in low-income schools, distributing food to children and families in need, providing support for those recovering from addiction, responding to Texas communities recovering from disaster and much more. Six new AmeriCorps programs are launching in Texas this year, many with an emphasis on public health and workforce development. For example, Homeward Bound Inc., a Dallas nonprofit offering substance abuse treatment, will engage AmeriCorps members to develop and implement individualized plans for in-patient clients that support long-term recovery and build their motivation and self-esteem to pursue viable career paths.
Programs across the state are currently recruiting AmeriCorps members to serve in Texas communities in the months ahead. AmeriCorps is focused on reducing barriers to service and has prioritized additional benefits, such as increased living allowance, for members that will serve in the coming year.
In addition to the grant funding, AmeriCorps will provide an additional $14 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for AmeriCorps members in Texas funded by these grants. After completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an award of up to $6,895 that they can apply toward tuition at eligible schools and educational programs or qualified student loan repayment. Interested individuals can visit VolunteerTX.org to search and apply for AmeriCorps positions in Texas.
“Year after year AmeriCorps members answer the call to serve Texas communities and are essential in addressing our state’s most pressing needs. From closing the education gap to combating hunger, poverty, and homelessness, they are the boots on the ground changing lives,” said Chris Bugbee, OneStar President & CEO. “The organizations that engage AmeriCorps members understand the value these diverse individuals bring to their organizations and the invaluable skills and experiences members themselves gain during their time in service.”
The $33.5 million in funding, administered by OneStar, will be distributed to the following organizations operating in Texas.
- Amarillo Independent School District
- American YouthWorks
- American YouthWorks (Public Health AmeriCorps)*
- Austin Achieve Public Schools
- Boys & Girls Club of Pharr
- Breakthrough Central Texas
- Campus Compact*
- ChildFund International USA
- City Year Dallas
- City Year San Antonio
- CitySquare
- CLC, Inc.*
- College Advising Corps
- College Possible
- Collegiate Edu-Nation
- Communities In Schools of Central Texas
- Communities In Schools of North Texas
- Communities In Schools of San Antonio
- Communities In Schools of South Central Texas*
- Equal Heart
- Fort Bend Family Health Center
- Generation Teach
- Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
- Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas
- Homeward Bound*
- Imagine Art
- Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston
- Legacy Community Health Services
- Project Transformation
- Reading Partners
- Relay Graduate School of Education
- Sewa International
- Student Conservation Association
- Teach For America
- Texas Southmost College District*
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Travis County Health and Human Services
- United Way of El Paso County
- University of North Texas
- University of Texas at Austin
- West Texas A&M University
* New AmeriCorps Texas program
AmeriCorps State and National, a federal-state partnership with a central role for governor-appointed state service commissions like OneStar, develops and implements state-specific national service programs. These grants allow organizations to recruit, train and supervise AmeriCorps members who provide services in the areas of education, disaster response & recovery, health, environmental stewardship, economic opportunity and support for veterans & military families.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.
About OneStar
OneStar strengthens Texas communities by creating pathways for individuals and organizations to engage, connect and accelerate their impact. We advance service and volunteering as effective solutions to our state’s toughest social challenges. We are recognized as a statewide voice for the Texas nonprofit sector and a respected partner to foundations, state agencies and the business community. Born from state government in 1974, we carry out our mission with direction and guidance from the Office of the Texas Governor. Learn more at onestarfoundation.org.