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Congressman Dan Kildee Announces New Federal Grant Supporting 25 AmeriCorps VISTA Members in Flint

September 6, 2017

Half Million Dollar Federal Grant to Crim Fitness Foundation Will Support AmeriCorps VISTA Members Helping Children in Flint Schools

WASHINGTON – Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) today announced that 25 new AmeriCorps VISTA members will be serving in the Flint Community Schools thanks to a federal grant through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). The $449,512 federal grant, awarded to the Crim Fitness Foundation, will support 25 AmeriCorps VISTA members serving in the Flint Community School Corps in before and after-school programs. Additionally, the Crim Fitness Foundation will match a portion of this federal grant with $61,413 for the program.

"Every child, no matter the zip code they are born into, deserves an equal opportunity to succeed," Congressman Kildee said. "National service programs like AmeriCorps VISTA are helping Flint kids improve their academic performance. I am proud to support national service programs that help to create more opportunity for Flint kids and create better environments for learning. I am also grateful to the Crim Fitness Foundation for their investment in this program and all of their work to help our community recover from the ongoing water crisis."

Created in 1965, AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program designed to reduce poverty in America. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve full-time for one year at non-profit organizations, faith-based institutions, or local government agencies, multiplying their impact and building their capacity to carry out essential projects.

The Flint Community School Corps program is in all eleven Flint Community Schools and helps to improve academic performance through a well-rounded education. The new AmeriCorps VISTA members will be providing before, after-school and summer learning activities for students in grades K-12, including mentoring, tutoring, health education and sports-based development. Members will also be working to connect Flint families with wrap-around services to connect parents and kids with community support programs.

"The Crim Fitness Foundation is proud to host more than 60 National Service members each year. Our VISTA members are critical to our Flint Community School Corps program that is working to reintroduce the Community Education model into the Flint Community Schools," said Gerry Myers, CEO of the Crim Fitness Foundation.

Since January 2016, CNCS has invested critical national service resources to support Flint as it responds to the water crisis. Now more than 120 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members have been involved providing aid to the community. The members' service spans many areas including educating residents on using water filters, providing information on healthcare and nutrition, assisting with donations management and helping residents access wrap-around services.

Issues:Education