AUSTIN — OneStar today announced that Texas has received $21.6 million from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and community volunteerism, to support 3,598 AmeriCorps members placed with 38 organizations throughout the state.
These AmeriCorps members will address some of the toughest social challenges in Texas by serving as tutors in low-income schools, providing college access services to first-generation college students, training adults in job readiness skills, distributing food to children and families in need, assisting with case management for the homeless, responding to Texas communities recovering from disaster, and much more.
This past year, AmeriCorps members were quick to adapt to meet the changing needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and developed new ways to deliver services while keeping both themselves and those they serve safe. AmeriCorps members in Texas have been active in hosting drive-through food and supply distributions, leading virtual education and enrichment activities to offset learning loss, and keeping vulnerable populations connected and engaged amidst social distancing requirements.
“Texans have endured many challenges this past year, and AmeriCorps members continue to play an essential role in helping communities recover and build resilience,” said Chris Bugbee, OneStar President & CEO. “AmeriCorps gives Texans the opportunity to put their values into action and make a difference while also developing civic and leadership skills to last a lifetime. I congratulate these outstanding organizations and thank all those who serve our Texas communities through AmeriCorps.”
The $21.6 million in funding, administered by OneStar, will be distributed to 38 organizations operating in Texas, including:
- Access Health
- Amarillo Independent School District
- American YouthWorks
- Austin Achieve Public Schools
- Big Thought
- BookSpring
- Breakthrough
- ChildFund International USA
- City Year, Inc. (Dallas)
- City Year, Inc. (San Antonio)
- CitySquare
- College Forward
- Communities In Schools of Central Texas
- Communities In Schools of North Texas
- Communities In Schools of San Antonio
- Equal Heart
- Front Steps
- Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas
- Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
- Houston reVision
- Imagine Art
- Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston
- Legacy Community Health Services
- Literacy Coalition of Central Texas
- National College Advising Corps
- Project Transformation
- Reading Partners
- Relay Graduate School of Education
- Sewa International
- Teach for America
- Texas Department of State and Health Services
- Texas Network of Youth Services
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Travis County Health and Human Services
- United Way of El Paso County
- University of North Texas
- UT Austin Charles A. Dana Center
- West Texas A&M University
AmeriCorps will provide an additional $14.3 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for the AmeriCorps members in Texas funded by these grants. After completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an award of approximately $6,300 that they can use to pay for college or to pay off student loans.
The recently passed American Rescue Plan includes an additional $1 billion for AmeriCorps. The agency will use this investment to expand national service programs into new communities and increase the opportunity for all Americans to serve their country.
Every year, 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve through thousands of nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations across the country. These citizens have played a critical role in the recovery of communities affected by disasters and helped thousands of first-generation college students access higher education. They also tutor and mentor young people, connect veterans to jobs, care for seniors, reduce crime and revive cities, fight the opioid epidemic, and meet other critical needs.
As the federal agency for volunteering and service, AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges. Since the agency’s inception in 1994, nearly 1.2 million AmeriCorps members have served the nation.
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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.