For Immediate Release
July 21, 2014
Voices for National Service Statement Lauding New National Service Partnerships
WASHINGTON – Based on recommendations from the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force, which President Obama launched earlier this year, President Obama today announced the creation of two new national service corps with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These new interagency partnerships with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the independent federal agency that oversees federal service and volunteering programs, use the power of citizen service to address some of the nation’s most pressing challenges.
The new partnership between DOJ and CNCS will create a Youth Opportunity AmeriCorps program, which will enroll disconnected youth in national service programs as AmeriCorps members. The partnership between USDA and CNCS will provide resources for a new 21st Century Conservation Corps (21CSC) and will connect youth and veterans with service opportunities to restore the nation’s forests and grasslands.
Voices for National Service President, AnnMaura Connolly released the following statement celebrating the $13.8 million investment in these new interagency service corps partnerships:
“I applaud President Obama for recognizing the power of national service to meet the goals outlined under the ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ initiative. Through programs like FEMA Corps and School Turnaround AmeriCorps, the administration has already seen the success interagency partnerships with CNCS can bring to critical areas of national concern. The new interagency corps with DOJ and USDA will enhance the ability of national service programs both to deliver essential services and provide valuable benefits to those who serve,” said Connolly. “With a four to one return on investment, national service is a cost-effective model for achieving this important double-benefit.”
In addition to the new interagency corps, President Obama announced several private sector partnerships that will harness the energy of AmeriCorps members to achieve results. AT&T announced an $18 million investment this year in Aspire Mentoring Academy Corps that will engage thousands of at-risk youth in mentoring activities. The Citi Foundation is making a three-year, $10 million commitment to create Service Works, which will utilize 225 AmeriCorps members to engage youth in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark, San Francisco, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.
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About Voices for National Service:
Voices for National Service is a diverse coalition of national service programs, state service commissions and individual champions, who are dedicated to ensuring that Americans of all ages have the opportunity to serve their communities and our country. Founded in 2003, Voices for National Service has built strong bipartisan support among our nation’s leaders and helped position national service as a viable policy solution to tackle unmet needs, expand opportunity, and leverage human capital.