[United States Government Manual] [June 01, 2008] [Pages 373-377] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE 1201 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20525 Phone, 202-606-5000. Internet, www.nationalservice.gov. Board of Directors: Chair Stephen Goldsmith Members Julie Fisher-Cummings, Mark Gearan, Richard Hill, Vince Juaristi, Jacob Lew, Tom Osborne, James Palmer, Alan Solomont, Stan Soloway, Leona White Hat, Donna Williams, (3 vacancies) Staff: Chief Executive Officer David Eisner Chief Financial Officer Jerry G. Bridges Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Seale Chief of Staff Nicola Goren Director, AmeriCorps Kristin McSwain Director, AmeriCorps*VISTA Jean Whaley Director, AmeriCorps*NCCC Merlene Mazyck Director, Government Relations Kathy Ott Director, Research and Policy Development Robert Grimm Chief Human Capital Officer Ray Limon Director, Learn and Serve America Amy Cohen Director, Senior Corps Tess Scannell Director, Public Affairs Amy Mack Director, Corporate Relations Jonathan Williams Director, Field Liaison Michael Berning Director, Leadership Development and Training Gretchen Van der Veer [[Page 374]] General Counsel Frank Trinity Inspector General Gerald Walpin ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Corporation for National and Community Service engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in community-based service that addresses the Nation's educational, public safety, environmental, and other human needs to achieve direct and demonstrable results. In so doing, the Corporation fosters civic responsibility, strengthens the ties that bind us together as a people, and provides educational opportunity for those who make a substantial commitment to service. The Corporation was established on October 1, 1993, by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 12651 et seq.). In addition to creating several new service programs, the Act consolidated the functions and activities of the former Commission on National and Community Service and the Federal agency ACTION. For more than a decade, the Corporation for National Community Service, through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, has mobilized a new generation of engaged citizens. This year, more than 2 million individuals of all ages and backgrounds will serve through those programs to help thousands of national and community nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies meet local needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other critical areas. National and community service programs work closely with traditional volunteer organizations to broaden, deepen, and strengthen the ability of America's volunteers to contribute not only to their community, but also to our Nation. The Corporation is a Federal corporation governed by a 15-member bipartisan Board of Directors, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Board has responsibility for overall policy direction of the Corporation's activities and has the power to make all final grant decisions, approve the strategic plan and annual budget, and advise and make recommendations to the President and the Congress regarding changes in the national service laws. The Corporation for National and Community Service oversees three major service initiatives: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Senior Corps Each year Senior Corps taps the skills, talents, and experience of more than 500,000 Americans age 55 and older to meet a wide range of community challenges through three programs: Retired and Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP), Foster Grandparents, and Senior Companions. RSVP volunteers help local police departments conduct safety patrols, participate in environmental projects, provide intensive educational services to children and adults, respond to natural disasters, and recruit other volunteers. Foster Grandparents serve as tutors and mentors to young people with special needs. Senior Companions help homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in their own homes. AmeriCorps AmeriCorps provides opportunities for more than 75,000 Americans each year to give intensive service to their communities. AmeriCorps members recruit, train, and supervise community volunteers, tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after-school programs, and help communities respond to disasters and nonprofit groups to become self-sustaining. In exchange for a year of full-time service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award of $4,725 that can be used to pay for college or graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans. Since 1994 almost 500,000 Americans have served in AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps has three main programs: AmeriCorps*State and National, AmeriCorps*NCCC, and AmeriCorps*VISTA. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T214669.031 [[Page 376]] AmeriCorps*State and National operates through national and local nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and faith-based and community groups. More than three-quarters of AmeriCorps grant funding goes to Governor-appointed State service commissions, which in turn award grants to nonprofit groups to respond to local needs. AmeriCorps*NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a team-based, residential program for men and women from ages 18 to 24 that combines the best practices of civilian service with aspects of military service, including leadership and team building. AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members serve full-time, for 1 year, in nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based organizations to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create and expand business, increase housing opportunities, and bridge the digital divide. Learn and Serve America Learn and Serve America engages more than one million students in community service linked to academic achievement and the development of civic skills. This type of learning, called service learning, improves communities while preparing young people for a lifetime of responsible citizenship. Learn and Serve America provides grants to schools, colleges, and nonprofit groups to support its efforts. Grants are awarded through the Corporation and State educational agencies and commissions, nonprofit organizations, and higher education associations. School-based programs receive grants through State educational agencies or nonprofits, while community-based programs apply for funding through the same State commissions that coordinate AmeriCorps grants or through nonprofits. Higher education institutions and associations apply directly to the Corporation for grants. In addition to providing grants, Learn and Serve America serves as a resource on service and service-learning to teachers, faculty members, schools, and community groups and promotes student service through the Presidential Freedom Scholarships. Other Initiatives Other programs and special initiatives administered by the Corporation's umbrella include: King Day of Service Grants, which support community organizations in their efforts to engage local citizens in service on the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal holiday; and the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, which presents the President's Volunteer Service Award to citizens of all ages and backgrounds who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to service. The Corporation also provides extensive training and technical assistance to support and assist State service commissions and local service programs. The Corporation and its programs work with the USA Freedom Corps, established on January 29, 2002, by Executive Order 13254. USA Freedom Corps is a White House initiative to foster a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility, and help all Americans answer the President's call to service. Sources of Information Electronic Access Information regarding the Corporation's programs and activities is available on the Internet at www.nationalservice.gov. Information for persons interested in joining AmeriCorps is available at www.americorps.gov. Information for persons interested in joining Senior Corps is at www.seniorcorps.gov. Information on the USA Freedom Corps is available at www.usafreedomcorps.gov. General Information To obtain additional information regarding AmeriCorps, call 800-942-2677. For Senior Corps programs, call 800-424- 8867. TDD, 202-565-2799. For USA Freedom Corps, call 877-872-2677. Grants All notices of available funds are made through the grants.gov Web site. State program offices and commissions on national and community service are located in most States and are the best source of information on programs in specific States or communities. To contact State offices or [[Page 377]] State commissions, visit www.nationalservice.gov/contactus.html. For further information, contact the Corporation for National and Community Service, 1201 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20525. Phone, 202-606-5000. Internet, www.nationalservice.gov. ------------------------------------------------------------------------