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Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps Launches with $500,000 AmeriCorps Grant

Article type: Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC May 20, 2008 —Rebuilding Together announced today a $500,000 grant from AmeriCorps that will be used to launch the Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps. The purpose of this new program is to build the capacity of Rebuilding Together’s Affiliate Network as a means to help additional low-income homeowners.
 
Thanks to a half-million dollar grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service, 44 AmeriCorps members will be assigned to work for the Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps serving 26 affiliates around the country.
 
"We are absolutely thrilled with this funding award.  This generous grant from AmeriCorps has enabled the creation of the Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps,” said Gary A. Officer, President  & CEO of Rebuilding Together.  “Now, our Affiliate Network will enjoy the benefit of much needed capacity building as we continue to expand our impact in the local communities we serve."
 
The Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps is intended to strengthen volunteer involvement which will help sustain affiliates in their efforts to provide critical repairs, modifications and renovations for low-income homeowners.  The AmeriCorps members working with the Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps will function in a number of ways including volunteer recruitment, client outreach, project implementation, community partner development and program expansion.
 
“The programs selected for funding are tackling some of the most pressing problems in communities across the United States,” said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers AmeriCorps. “We are investing in organizations that have proved their ability to improve lives, and we are also supporting creative programs with strong models that will use AmeriCorps members to bring lasting change.”
 
The grant announcements came during the second annual AmeriCorps Week, a nationwide recognition to thank the more than 540,000 men and women who have served in AmeriCorps since its inception in 1994 and to encourage others to serve. 
  
About AmeriCorps:
 
AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages 75,000 Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to meet critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other human needs.  AmeriCorps works through existing organizations and helps them reach more people and better achieve their mission.  In 2007, the nation’s AmeriCorps members recruited 1.7 million community volunteers to serve alongside them in some 4,100 nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations across the country.
 
AmeriCorps members typically remain actively engaged in their communities once their service is complete.  AmeriCorps alumni can not only continue to be counted on as volunteers but they also run nonprofit organizations, marshal community resources to solve local problems, and go into public service careers.
 
After completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,725 that they can use to pay for college, pay off student loans or cover future tuition costs. Interested individuals can learn about available opportunities and apply by visiting www.AmeriCorps.gov.
 
About Rebuilding Together:
 
Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing home repair and renovation services free of charge to those in need. Through the support of corporate sponsors, local businesses and the hands-on work of a 200,000 volunteers, Rebuilding Together renovates and repairs nearly 10,000 homes and nonprofit facilities annually with a market value of nearly $100 million.
 
In addition to its core home repair work, Rebuilding Together renovates community centers and conducts home modification and repair programs that focus on elder home safety, energy efficiency, veterans housing, and disaster recovery and reconstruction. Rebuilding Together has over 200 affiliates nationwideand recently celebrated the completion of its 100,000th project.
 
Media Contact: Becky Carter, bcarter@rebuildingtogether.org (202) 518-3500
 
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