The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act will help increase our nation’s preparedness in responding to hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other disasters that have devastated communities in recent years.
American service organizations and volunteers have played a vital role in relief and recovery efforts in the wake of tragedies. For example, since August 2005, the Corporation for National and Community Service, has provided more than $130 million worth of relief to Gulf Coast states devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and deployed nearly 92,000 national service volunteers who have put in over 3.5 million hours helping communities rebuild. This doesn’t include the additional 260,000 community volunteers involved in the recovery.
Even before floods devastated homes and businesses in southeast Iowa, volunteers were on the ground. To date, AmeriCorps has coordinated over 800,000 volunteer hours to help the state recover.
The Serve America Act creates a greater infrastructure and capacity for respond to disasters by growing the number of volunteers nationwide to 250,000, up from 75,000. The bill also makes it possible for existing programs to respond more effectively by expanding the focus of the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) to include disaster relief and infrastructure improvement. The bill also establishes an alumni corps of former participants who can be called to service during times of disaster and other emergencies.
American service organizations and volunteers have played a vital role in relief and recovery efforts in the wake of tragedies. For example, since August 2005, the Corporation for National and Community Service, has provided more than $130 million worth of relief to Gulf Coast states devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and deployed nearly 92,000 national service volunteers who have put in over 3.5 million hours helping communities rebuild. This doesn’t include the additional 260,000 community volunteers involved in the recovery.
Even before floods devastated homes and businesses in southeast Iowa, volunteers were on the ground. To date, AmeriCorps has coordinated over 800,000 volunteer hours to help the state recover.
The Serve America Act creates a greater infrastructure and capacity for respond to disasters by growing the number of volunteers nationwide to 250,000, up from 75,000. The bill also makes it possible for existing programs to respond more effectively by expanding the focus of the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) to include disaster relief and infrastructure improvement. The bill also establishes an alumni corps of former participants who can be called to service during times of disaster and other emergencies.
By increasing the numbers of volunteers and service corps, the
legislation will give critical programs, such as the St. Bernard
Project, a program that helps get families back into their homes after
Hurricane Katrina, have more hands to help rebuild communities and
lives.
Americans’ desire to give back is growing. In the five year after September 11th, the percent of college students who volunteer increased to over 30 percent. In 2007, more than 61 million Americans spent over 8 billion hours volunteering, generating $158 billion worth of benefits.
Americans’ desire to give back is growing. In the five year after September 11th, the percent of college students who volunteer increased to over 30 percent. In 2007, more than 61 million Americans spent over 8 billion hours volunteering, generating $158 billion worth of benefits.
What a great idea. That is the We Can do it spirit.