LISC AmeriCorps steers funding, volunteers to Greater Cincinnati area efforts to fight poverty
7.13.2017
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Our focus is on helping create economic opportunity for people who are struggling and to improve the quality of life in their communities
CINCINNATI (July 13, 2017)— The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is partnering with a long-heralded federal program that promotes national service for people of all ages to make a daily difference in America’s urban and rural communities and tackle issues of housing, jobs, health, safety, and education for low-income residents in the Cincinnati area.
LISC is dedicating more than $3 million to support 165 AmeriCorps members in 13 urban areas and rural communities, including Greater Cincinnati. 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 the LISC Greater Cincinnati footprint, LISC AmeriCorps was been an integrated component of our local strategy for six (6) years and after a short hiatus we are happy to offer it again to our partners. The seven (7) new AmeriCorps members will be placed with individual local community based organizations to train residents and connect them to living wage jobs, engage community leaders to address neighborhood safety, and assist our neighbors with home affordability.
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 people who are struggling and to improve the quality of life in their communities,” said Kathy Schwab, Executive Director with LISC Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. “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 more than 3,000 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
LISC Greater Cincinnati
LISC Greater Cincinnati is dedicated to support resident-led, community-based development organizations transform communities and neighborhoods into healthy places to live, do business, work, and raise families. Operating in Hamilton County in Ohio and Campbell and Kenton counties in Kentucky, LISC Greater Cincinnati, helps community residents transform neighborhoods by working with cities, residents, nonprofit organizations, and key public and private partners to create affordable housing, support neighborhood economic development, help families reach financial stability, and sustain social capital.
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.
