Tester: Essential volunteer efforts to continue in Montana

(U.S. SENATE) –  Key AmeriCorps volunteer efforts will continue serving Montanans across the state, thanks to grants announced today by U.S. Senator Jon Tester.

AmeriCorps volunteer programs coordinate more than 1,000 volunteer positions through the National Energy Corps, the Montana Conservation Corps, and the Campus Corps.  Those initiatives will continue, thanks to grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service.

“AmeriCorps volunteers play an important role in almost every part of Montana and I proudly supported these programs when others tried to do away with them,” Tester said.  “From building homes to educating our kids to strengthening Montana’s infrastructure, these volunteers are essential to communities across our state.” 

The following AmeriCorps organizations are receiving grants:

• The National Energy Corps based in Butte.  Up to 42 volunteers in Montana and other three other states will provide energy education to help weatherize homes and to conduct energy audits
• The Montana Conservation Corps based in Helena.  Up to 234 volunteers will work on conservation projects with non-profit organizations and local, state, and federal agencies 
• The Campus Corps based in Missoula.  Up to 817 college student volunteers will help provide hands on services to Montana’s low performing K-12 school, medically under-served populations and help expand the impact of the non-profits.  
• The Blackfeet Tribe in Browning.  The Blackfeet Housing Authority is planning a program for volunteers to work with tribal members on property maintenance, repairs, and landscape projects.

AmeriCorps is a national service program whose members serve nonprofit and faith-based organizations throughout the nation. Members tutor and mentor youth, expand health services, build affordable housing, run after-school programs, support veterans, help communities respond to disasters, and recruit and train volunteers.