Meeting Community Needs in Arkansas

More than 5,800 people of all ages and backgrounds are helping to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and increase civic engagement through national service in Arkansas. Serving at more than 400 locations throughout the state, these citizens tutor and mentor children, support veterans and military families, provide health services, restore the environment, respond to disasters, increase economic opportunity, and recruit and manage volunteers. This year, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) will commit more than $11,210,000 to support Arkansas communities through national service and social innovation initiatives. Through a unique public-private partnership, this federal investment will leverage an additional $8,270,000 in other resources to strengthen community impact, build local support, and increase return on taxpayer dollars. Nationwide, CNCS, its grantees, and project sponsors generated more than $1.25 billion in outside resources from businesses, foundations, public agencies, and other sources in FY 2015.

AmeriCorps

This year, AmeriCorps will provide more than 590 individuals the opportunity to provide intensive, results-driven service to meet education, environmental, health, economic, and other pressing needs in communities across Arkansas. Most AmeriCorps grant funding goes to the Arkansas Service Commission, which in turn awards grants to nonprofit groups to respond to local needs. Most of the remainder of the grant funding is distributed by CNCS directly to multi-state and national organizations through a competitive grants process.

Other individuals serve through AmeriCorps VISTA, whose members help bring individuals and communities out of poverty by serving full-time to fight hunger and illiteracy, improve health services, and increase housing opportunities, and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), a 10-month, full time residential program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24.

In exchange for their service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans. Since 1994, more than 8,900 Arkansas residents have served more than 15 million hours and have qualified for Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards totaling more than $29,240,000.

Senior Corps

More than 5,200 seniors in Arkansas contribute their time and talents in one of three Senior Corps programs. Foster Grandparents serve one-on one as tutors and mentors to more that 1,800 young people who have special needs. Senior Companions help more that 310 homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in their own homes. RSVP volunteers conduct safety partrols, renovate homes, protect the environment, tutor and mentor youth, respond to natural disasters, and provide other services through more than 200 groups across Arkansas. 

Download: AmeriCorps in Arkansas (PDF)

Download: Arkansas Service Locations

Download: A Report on AmeriCorps' Impact on members and Nonprofit Organizations

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. CNCS annually engages millions of Americans in service to meet local needs through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and national days of service; improves communities through the Social Innovation Fund, and leads volunteer initiatives across the nation. To learn more visit NationalService.gov or Serve.gov or call 202-606-5000 or TTY 1-800-833-3722.