Jun 26, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

JEVS Human Services Awarded $269,992 in AmeriCorps Funding

JEVS Human Services (JEVS) announced today that it has received $269,992 in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency for volunteering and service programs.

This federal investment will support 20 AmeriCorps members. These AmeriCorps members will tackle some of the toughest problems in Philadelphia and Camden by providing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and digital literacy skill-building opportunities to at least 400 students in grades 5-12 at neighborhood recreation centers, schools and community organizations.

TechServ is unique in that it addresses two key community issues: the digital literacy and STEM skills divide among school-aged children in low-income communities and the lack of access to career pathways for young adults in the technology and science sectors in the same communities. TechServ members will provide much-needed skills development and access to technology for youth as trainers and mentors, while building their own technical and leadership skills and earning credentials in the STEM and technology fields that will put them on a path to their own career success.

“TechServ is a win for the young adults who will serve as Corps members AND for the children who will benefit from increased access to technology and STEM. This program will also create a pool of trained young adults eager to continue their careers in technology and science, something sorely needed by our region’s employers to maintain our edge in the tech and science sectors,” says Jay Spector, president and CEO at JEVS Human Services.

CNCS will also provide up to $116,300 in education scholarships for the AmeriCorps members funded by this grant to help pay for college, vocational training, or pay back student loans.

JEVS is currently recruiting for AmeriCorps members to begin service this fall. AmeriCorps members typically receive a modest living stipend and a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, or scholarship, upon completion of their service. Those interested in serving can start the application process by visiting www.jevshumanservices.org/techserv-app.

Beginning this fall, AmeriCorps members serving through TechServ will join the more than 80,000 AmeriCorps members serving across the country in 21,600 locations. These members help communities tackle pressing problems while mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve.

Since the program’s inception in 1994, more than 1 million men and women have served in AmeriCorps, providing more than 1.4 billion hours of service and have earned more than $3.3 billion in education scholarships to pay for college or pay back student loans, more than $1 billion of which has been used to pay back student loans debt.

JEVS Human Services enhances the employability, independence, and quality of life of 35,000 individuals annually through a broad range of programs. Consistent with core principles and entrepreneurial spirit, JEVS Human Services creates innovative and sustainable solutions to address current and future community needs. For more information, visit www.jevshumanservices.org.

AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Volunteer Generation Fund, and leads volunteer initiatives for the nation. For more information, visit www.NationalService.gov.