On April 21, 2009, President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act into law, renewing a commitment and call for citizens to rebuild our nation through service. The legislation is the largest expansion of national service programs in decades. The Serve America Act reauthorizes and expands the mission of the Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs through Fiscal Year 2014.
With this passage, many exciting opportunities will be created to focus service efforts on some of the country's greatest challenges, including education, clean energy, healthcare, veterans, and economic opportunity. Various service opportunities will be expanded to include:
- a Summer of Service program that allows elementary and secondary studnets to participate in service-learning and receive a $500 education award;
- Youth Empowerment Zones for secondary and out-of-school youth;
- AmeriCorps expansion from 75,000 members to 250,000 members by 2017;
- a Silver Scholars program, allowing individuals 55 and older to perform 350 hours of service in exchange for a $1,000 education award; and
- social innovation and volunteer generation funds to provide additional resources to nonprofit strengthening initiatives as well as funding approaches to collaborative community problem-solving.
On July 27, 2009, the Michigan Community Service Commission hosted a webinar discussing how the Serve America Act will impact our state. If you missed out on this unique opportunity, or would just like to review the webinar's contents, please email Elyse Ver Berkmoes Walter at verberkmoese@michigan.govto obtain a copy of the webinar on CD.
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