Hoyer Announces AmeriCorps Grant for University of Maryland Center on Aging
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) announced today that the University of Maryland Center on Aging has received a $1.9 million AmeriCorps grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). The multi-state grant will support 540 AmeriCorps members who are veterans and military family members. These AmeriCorps members will work with Easter Seals, Vietnam Veterans of America, the American Legion Auxiliary, and Fisher House Foundation to provide caregiver support and respite care to veterans and military families.
“Our nation’s veterans and military families deserve the best support and resources we can provide,” stated Congressman Hoyer. “I’m pleased the University of Maryland Center on Aging has received this critical funding to help provide that support, and I thank the AmeriCorps members participating in this program for their continued service to our country as they assist fellow veterans and military families in our communities.”
The University of Maryland Center on Aging is an all-university, interdisciplinary institution designed to foster basic, applied and policy research, education
and public service in the areas of health promotion, disease prevention and human aging. The Center will oversee the grant and leverage nearly $1.6 million
in additional funds to match the AmeriCorps award. The program will also incorporate a research component for the University.
AmeriCorps, which is administered by the CNCS, is a national service program that engages 80,000 people each year in more than 14,000 organizations across the country. The grant announced today is part of the Fiscal Year 2012 AmeriCorps State and National funding competition, which focused AmeriCorps resources on six key areas: strengthening education, fostering economic opportunity, preparing for and responding to disasters, improving health, meeting environmental and energy efficiency needs, and assisting veterans and military families.