NAUs Center for Service and Volunteerism is funded by more than $3,000,000 in grants. It supports a vibrant network of people and partner agencies that make an impact on local communities.
The first award, worth more than $1 million, will fund the creation of an Environmental Literacy Corps AmeriCorps program. The Governors Office of Youth, Faith, and Family funds the program. AmeriCorps members will work with local agencies and organisations to promote environmental literacy in northern Arizona and elsewhere. Arizona has six distinct biomes, six national forests and three national parks, making it an ideal place to teach environmental education.
Environmental Literacy Corps members will be working with host sites such the National Park Service and U.S Forest Service, Flagstaff Unified Schools District, NAU departments, and academic units to provide environmental education programming for visitors, recreators and students. There have been many positive outcomes from environmental education, including increased passion and interest in learning, as well as growth in confidence, autonomy, and leadership.
AmeriCorps members agree to serve a term and receive a modest living allowance and an education award which can be used towards tuition or student loans. They also get training, experience, and a network that includes professionals in the field. This can help them to plan their future careers. Members can serve for 3-12 months and can choose to work part-time or fully-time.
CSV Director is delighted to use our decades-long experience with AmeriCorps program management and education expertise in order to bring attention to and support environmental literacy. Erin Kruse said. We are excited to see the positive effects that ELC will have on our community, thanks to a strong partner network and dedicated members who care about the environment and service.
CSVs plans are included through this grant
- Every year, we train 8,000 people
- Each year, 28 members of Environmental Literacy Corps will be engaged
- 16 local agencies and organizations are partners
The CSV and NAUs Public Health Program were awarded the second $2.1 million grant from AmeriCorps, a federal agency that promotes national service. This will support 50 AmeriCorps members who will assist in meeting the public health needs of their communities and rebuilding the nation’s public health sector through Public Health AmeriCorps.
Public Health AmeriCorps is a partnership between AmeriCorps and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that supports the development, training, and recruitment of a new generation in public health leadership. Public Health AmeriCorps is funded by a $400 million investment from The American Rescue Plan Act over five years. It will provide support and surge capacity to local communities while also providing pathways to public-health-related careers.
CSV and the Public Health Program have partnered to provide paid internships for 50 students in the final semester of their undergraduate studies. This will help to build public health capacity in the region and prepare the next generation. $422,000 of the $709,000 annual funding will be given to public health interns as stipends. AmeriCorps will also award $160,000 in education awards to students that can be used as student loans or tuition payments.
Kruse stated that they are excited to see the program come to fruition in innovative collaboration with the Public Health Program. This is a great chance to engage AmeriCorps volunteers in vital public health projects, and to help them launch their careers in this field.
“Establishing AmeriCorps service positions for our current NAU students is meaningful in so many ways. Students are financially and professionally supported during the final steps of their training, new partnerships will be developed to address health priorities in communities across the region and this program will open doors for new public health professionals to stay and work in Arizona,” Kristen KonkelShe is a senior lecturer in Health Sciences and the program area leader for NAU’s public health bachelors Degree.
NAUs Public Health AmeriCorps program builds upon previous COVID-19 recovery and response work. CSV has increased its programing in the last two years to provide basic support for COVID-19 victims, including contact tracing and food security. Housing assistance is also available. CSV also launched Tech Connect to assist older adults with technology skills to stay connected with their family, friends, and doctors during the pandemic. The project provided both iPads as well as training.
AmeriCorps continues its investment in COVID-19 recovery. AmeriCorps can help strengthen community response efforts because it has programs in over 40k locations across the country. Two years ago, thousands of AmeriCorps seniors volunteers and members in all 50 states have continued their service. They quickly adapted to the changing needs of the pandemic and provided vital support for community response and recovery efforts. This included support to over 12 million Americans, 2.5 million of whom were at vaccination sites.
For more information on AmeriCorps or CSV, please contact NAU Center for Service and Volunteerism, [email protected], or (928)523-6395.