Georgia 4-H clubs in 32 counties across Georgia will get some extra help this year thanks to a $439,357 AmeriCorps State grant from the federal Corporation for National and Community Service and the Georgia Commission on Service and Volunteerism.
AmeriCorps, a domestic program modeled after the Peace Corps, offers individuals the chance to make a difference in communities throughout the U.S. Through Georgia 4-H, an AmeriCorps State grant provides funding for positions to help improve the lives of Georgia youth.
While this is the fourth year Georgia 4-H has received the AmeriCorps State grant, the increase in this year’s award amount allows for the number of AmeriCorps members to grow from 16 to 32. AmeriCorps members support Georgia 4-H’s mission of assisting youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society. This includes providing programming that is aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards, covering topics such as STEM, career awareness and public speaking, said Jennifer Cantwell, AmeriCorps State program coordinator.