LISC AmeriCorps Steers Funding, Volunteers to Toledo Area
Efforts to Fight Poverty
The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is
partnering with a long-heralded federal program that
promotes national service to support building community
engagement strategies with active citizenry that reflect the
diversity of residents in Toledo’s neighborhoods.
LISC is dedicating more than $3 million to support 165
AmeriCorps members in 13 urban areas and rural communities,
including Toledo. The Corporation for National and Community
Service (CNCS)—the federal agency that oversees
AmeriCorps—is providing $1.44 million in funding, which LISC
is matching with another $1.6 million. Nationally, the LISC
AmeriCorps program addresses challenges related to jobs,
housing, education and other issues that underpin poverty.
In Toledo, new AmeriCorps members will engage community
residents, so that residents lead what happens in their own
neighborhood.
LISC AmeriCorps is unique because it typically draws its
participating members from the same communities where they
are assigned to work.
“Our focus is on helping create economic opportunity for
residents in our target neighborhoods and to improve the
quality of life by engaging residents and partners in the
community,” said Kim Cutcher, executive director with LISC
Toledo. “Our AmeriCorps members are passionate about
supporting that kind of change, and deeply motivated to give
back to their communities.”
LISC has operated a national AmeriCorps program for more
than two decades, having placed members in community-focused
initiatives and programs across the country. Many of those
members have gone on to long careers working with
nonprofits, social services agencies and government.
“For us, AmeriCorps is about giving low-income residents the
skills they need to build a careers in community-focused
sectors, just as it is about lifting the prospects of the
struggling neighborhoods where they live,” said Stacey Rapp,
LISC AmeriCorps’ national program director.
About LISC
LISC equips struggling communities with the capital, program
strategy and know-how to become places where people can
thrive. It combines corporate, government and philanthropic
resources. Since 1980, LISC has invested $17.3 billion to
build or rehab 366,000 affordable homes and apartments and
develop 61 million square feet of retail, community and
educational space. For more, visit
www.lisc.org
About Corporation for National and Community Service:
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is
a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in
service through its Senior Corps and AmeriCorps programs.
For more information, visit
www.NationalService.gov. |