LANSING - The Michigan Community Service Commission will virtually bring together more than 500 Michigan’s AmeriCorps members Nov. 19 at the 2020 AmeriCorps Member Celebration, with the theme “serving with resilience and grit,” to kick off a new year of AmeriCorps service. The event will feature videos from Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist, AmeriCorps Director Chester Spellman and a special swearing-in ceremony.

“AmeriCorps plays a vital role in addressing the state’s most pressing challenges,” said Lt. Governor Gilchrist. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, AmeriCorps members have already adapted their service to help meet critical needs of communities. We thank all members for their commitment to a year of service and the impact their actions will have on communities across the state.”

The Celebration helps members gain a new perspective on the impact their AmeriCorps service has on communities throughout Michigan and provides valuable training, networking and teambuilding workshops where members can enhance their professional development. In the 2019/2020 program year, members served 43,513 Michigan youth, treated 1,641 acres of public land, and provided 5,384 individuals access to nutrition and hunger resources.

“It’s truly inspiring to bring together all the individuals that carry the AmeriCorps spirit,” Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director Ginna Holmes said. “Their service is vital to our state and they will continue to persevere in helping others during the next year.”

Michigan’s AmeriCorps provides statewide people power. During the previous funding cycle for the 2019/2020 program year, the MCSC granted out $10,471,869 to AmeriCorps State programs, resulting in a $26,332,176 total in AmeriCorps programs, including local match funds and federal education awards. In total, MCSC funded 28 AmeriCorps programs that engaged 1,000 members in service.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Michigan’s AmeriCorps members also adapted their service to help meet critical needs of local communities. This includes food distribution, healthcare support, blood donation, contact tracing and other critical services.

Since 1994, more than 33,000 Michigan residents have served approximately 50 million hours and earned education awards totaling more than $116.6 million.

Find out more on the Michigan's AmeriCorps website.

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Background  The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) utilizes service as a strategy to address the state's most pressing issues and empowers volunteers to strengthen communities. The MCSC is leveraging more than $21 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. Visit www.michigan.gov/volunteer for more information.

• • Michigan's AmeriCorps Member Celebration Event Press Release.pdf