Governor Culver Announces Green Iowa Americorps Program To Help Rebuild A Greener Iowa
DES MOINES, IA – October 10, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Chet Culver announced today the launch of 56 AmeriCorps positions in the new “Green Iowa” initiative. The mission of this new program is to assess energy saving needs in communities and provide energy-saving education and service through community outreach.
“AmeriCorps members are tackling our toughest problems, strengthening our communities, and improving the civic life of our state,” said Governor Chet Culver. “They have played an important role in helping Iowans recover from this year’s natural disasters, and their work continues through this innovative, new program.”
The Green Iowa Corps will be managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources through a combination of funding from AmeriCorps, the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and the Iowa Power Fund. The DNR is seeking lead organizations for projects in two specific regions; one team will be located in Linn and Johnson counties and the other in Black Hawk, Bremer and Butler counties. Members taking part in these projects will rebuild communities hit by disaster in a sustainable, green way.
The Green Iowa Corps is also in search of six qualified individuals to serve as AmeriCorps members for the next 12 months. Members will network within communities and serve as team project leaders next summer. Nine-month and three-month positions will be available in February and May of 2009.
Project sponsor site organization and member application information can be found on AmeriCorps website http://www.iowadnr.gov/volunteer/americorps/index.html.
Most often described as a domestic Peace Corps, AmeriCorps is a federally funded program that enables Americans age 17 and over to commit a significant amount of time to service designed to meet community needs. In exchange for one year of service, AmeriCorps members receive a small living allowance and an education award to help finance their college education, vocational training, or to pay back qualified student loans.
For more information on AmeriCorps or to find out how you can get involved, e-mail tricia.rummer (at) dnr.iowa (dot) gov or call 515-281-4539.
