WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) announced today a $494,000 grant for Public Allies Connecticut in Bridgeport, a program of AmeriCorps serving Fairfield County. The funding will be used to place 40 college graduates from Bridgeport in non-profits across the Fourth District to lend their skills and creativity toward local service projects.
“I am pleased to announce this grant to give 40 talented Bridgeport youths an opportunity to give back to their community while expanding their professional expertise,” said Himes. “These AmeriCorps members will meet pressing local needs and strengthen our communities. I look forward to working with Public Allies Connecticut to see all of the good work they do over the next year.”
Funding was awarded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which runs AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to meet critical needs. Its members serve through thousands of nonprofit and faith-based organizations in rural and urban communities throughout the nation. Among other activities, AmeriCorps members tutor and mentor youth, expand health services, build affordable housing, run after-school programs, help veterans access employment and other services, respond to disasters, and recruit and train other volunteers.
"Public Allies CT, a program of RYASAP, Inc., is honored to have been awarded continued support by the Corporation for National and Community Service to deliver our rigorous and impactful non-profit support and leadership development programs," said Tyler Driscoll, Executive Director of Public Allies Connecticut. "To date, over 306,000 hours of service has been given back to CT communities by over 180 Public Allies CT Alumni. This years grant is the largest received to date by Public Allies CT and translates directly into more young people investing their skills and talents in the communities of Connecticut while developing themselves as leaders and strengthening the nonprofit sector. We are thrilled to enter our 10th year with the largest class of Allies yet."