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Volunteer Florida Announces $24.3 Million in Funding for Florida

August 27, 2018 - 11:15am

On Monday , Volunteer Florida CEO David Mica, Jr., announced that Volunteer Florida received $24.3 million in funding to administer 38 AmeriCorps programs throughout Florida in 2018-2019. The funding includes $12,396,359 in federal grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service and $11,932,832 in local match.  

"I am grateful for Governor Scott's continued support of Volunteer Florida, as this funding will allow approximately 1,430 AmeriCorps members to engage in direct, high-impact service Florida's communities," said Mica. "These dedicated AmeriCorps members will improve individual Floridians' lives and make the state a more prosperous place for all to live."

"By administering national service programs, like AmeriCorps, Volunteer Florida connects individuals with opportunities to serve their friends, neighbors and fellow Floridians in many different capacities, including mentoring at-risk students, helping veterans find jobs and conserving public lands,” said Autumn Karlinsky, the chair of the Volunteer Florida Commission. “This is proven to be a cost-effective strategy for fulfilling community-wide needs, while providing valuable work experience and professional development for AmeriCorps members."

“Through Volunteer Florida’s funding and the continued commitment of local nonprofits and community-based organizations, AmeriCorps members can provide invaluable support to Florida’s deserving educators,” said Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart. “This will positively impact several schools and countless students throughout the state, instilling a strong education system and ensuring long-term success for all Floridians.”

“Thanks to the leadership of Governor Scott and the support of Volunteer Florida, the city of Jacksonville will benefit from millions of dollars in investments in local education,” said Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. “We greatly appreciate this partnership that puts AmeriCorps members in our classrooms.”

AmeriCorps members contribute a year of their lives to serve in different fields, gaining valuable experience and skills that prepare them to confidently continue their education or enter the workforce. Additionally, Florida's AmeriCorps members will be eligible to receive $6,692,613 in college scholarships upon successful completion of their service. This is a direct investment in higher education, as many AmeriCorps members remain in Florida and attend college in the state. 

This year, Volunteer Florida is placing AmeriCorps members in schools and education-based nonprofits in Florida, prioritizing mentoring at-risk students and increasing retention and graduation rates. Eighty-one percent of Volunteer Florida's AmeriCorps funding will help provide after-school tutoring, summer school programming and targeted interventions to prevent dropouts and encourage long-term success in school. Other AmeriCorps programs administered by Volunteer Florida will contribute to protecting Florida's natural resources and conserving pubic land, promoting healthy futures and economic opportunity and managing disaster response and recovery efforts. 

"By equipping organizations with passionate, hard-working AmeriCorps members, Volunteer Florida is leveraging an existing infrastructure of resources to fulfill critical unmet needs," said Mica. "Through their service, whether in a classroom or a state park, they are transforming Florida's communities and leaving a lasting impact on the state." 

Volunteer Florida administers funding to the following grantees (specific program names, if applicable, in parentheses): 

AMIKids, Inc. - Tampa

The Arc of Jacksonville (AmeriCorps Youth Transition) - Jacksonville

The Arc of Palm Beach County - Riviera Beach

Big Brother Big Sisters (Big Brothers Big Sisters Reads) - Fort Pierce 

Big Brother Big Sisters - Miami

Boys and Girls Club of Martin County - Hobe Sound

Boys and Girls Club of North Central Florida - Perry

Boys and Girls Club of Palm Beach County - West Palm Beach

Branches (AmeriCorps Branches) - Miami

Breakthrough Miami - Miami

Centro Campesino (AmeriCorps YouthPride) - Florida City

Children of Inmates (COI AmeriCorps) - Miami 

City of Miami - Miami

City of Orlando (AmeriCorps OPASS) - Orlando

City of Orlando (Operation AmeriCorps) - Orlando

City Year, Inc. - Jacksonville  

City Year, Inc. - Miami

City Year, Inc. - Orlando

Communities in Schools of Jacksonville (AmeriCorps Duval Reads) - Jacksonville

Communities In Schools of Miami (AmeriCorps Miami Reads and Achieves) - Miami

Department of Elder Affairs (ElderServe)* - Tallahassee 

Firewall Centers, Inc. (AmeriCorps Firewall) - Davie

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Florida Conservation Corps AmeriCorps) - Gainesville

Florida Dream Center, Inc. - St. Petersburg

Goodwill Industries of the Big Bend (AmeriCorps Goodwill GoodWorks) - Tallahassee

Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County (Literacy AmeriCorps Palm Beach County) - Boynton Beach

Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (Manatee County Opioid Abuse Prevention Program)* - Bradenton 

Metropolitan Ministries, Inc. (Metropolitan Ministries AmeriCorps) - Tampa

Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus (AmeriCorps Excellence in STEM) - Miami

Northwest Florida State College (NWF Environmental Stewards) - Niceville 

Peacemakers Family Center, LLC. (AmeriCorps Peacemakers Family Center) - Miami

The Polk Education Foundation (AmeriCorps Polk Reads) - Bartow

Teach For America, Inc. - Jacksonville 

Teach For America, Inc. - Miami

Teach for America, Inc. - Orlando

University of North Florida (Jacksonville Teacher Residency) - Jacksonville

Up2Us, Inc. (AmeriCorps Up2Us Sports Coaches Program) - Miami

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