WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline announced that Rhode Island is receiving over $2 million in American Rescue Plan funding and State and National AmeriCorps grants to support child development and stable housing access in the Ocean State. The $2,068,124 in federal funding will support an estimated 85 AmeriCorps members in collaboration with NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, the Providence After School Alliance (PASA), SAGA Innovations tutoring programs, and ServeRI.  The federal funds will also be used to increase the AmeriCorps minimum living allowance and to stabilize and expand AmeriCorps programs in Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island delegation helped include an additional $1 billion for AmeriCorps and its many programs in the American Rescue Plan (P.L. 117–2), which President Biden signed into law last year. 

“This federal funding will allow AmeriCorps volunteers to do good in the community and support young people who have been most impacted by the challenges of the pandemic.  It’s a smart investment in helping young learners succeed and helping communities recover.  I am also pleased this funding will help increase the AmeriCorps living allowance, making national service more accessible and inclusive,” said Senator Reed, lead author of the America’s Call to Improve Opportunities Now (ACTION) for National Service Act. This bill would enhance access to national and community service opportunities, lower student debt, create a more engaged citizenry, and address national priorities in education, infrastructure, health care, disaster relief, and poverty. 

“AmeriCorps volunteers help keep our schools and communities running,” said Senator Whitehouse.  “I’m very glad to join the delegation in announcing this federal investment, which will also ensure AmeriCorps members are better compensated for their hard work.”

“AmeriCorps members stand on the front lines of their communities, serving our country and improving lives,” said Rep. Jim Langevin. “This federal funding will support an additional 85 AmeriCorps members, who will provide critical housing stabilization services for low-income Rhode Islanders and help our children to recover from any academic setbacks brought on by the pandemic.”

“This funding represents some of the best investments that the federal government can be making in our communities and in our future. This $2 million for AmeriCorp will help thousands of Rhode Islanders and make our recovery from the pandemic easier for so many children and families who need our support most,” said Congressman Cicilline.

Three grants totaling $1,285,044 will support organizations operating in the Providence area and Woonsocket and support approximately 85 AmeriCorps members:

SAGA Innovations, Inc.: $814,998

SAGA Innovations will support 50 AmeriCorps members who will provide small group, high-dosage, in-school-day math tutoring, incorporating social cognitive skills development, in Providence. AmericCorps members will be responsible for improving student academic engagement, confidence in math abilities, foundational math skills, and math class grades.

Woonsocket Neighborhood Development Corporation's Accessing Home Program: $323,814

NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley will support 15 AmeriCorps members who will deliver housing stabilization services to low-income households at diverse agencies across Rhode Island including: Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Warwick, Newport, Narragansett, and East Greenwich through the Accessing Home program. AmeriCorps members will be responsible for helping 3,825 low-income Rhode Islanders remain in or transition into safe, healthy, and affordable rental units.  AmeriCorps members will leverage 150 episodic volunteers who will be engaged in supporting community events, including COVID-19 vaccine clinics, farmers’ markets, resident appreciation events, and National Days of Service. 

Providence After School Alliance: $146,232

The Providence After School Alliance, Inc. will support 20 AmeriCorps members who will provide hands-on learning opportunities after-school for 1,200 economically disadvantaged middle school youth in Providence. AmeriCorps members will be responsible for 120 students demonstrating improved school attendance.

After successfully completing their service, these 85 AmeriCorps members are expected to earn $466,162 in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards.  Additionally, ServeRI, the state service commission, is receiving $783,080 in federal funding, which will in turn be awarded to state organizations to support additional AmeriCorps members in the coming months.