WASHINGTON – U.S.  Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today joined the national director of AmeriCorps in announcing $3.5 million in AmeriCorps funding to four Virginia organizations.  The grants support nonprofit organizations serving at-risk youth, and organizations which train and deploy military veterans to assist other veterans and their families in Virginia.

“These organizations demonstrate a strong commitment to service, and I’m particularly proud that the Virginia Veterans Corps is receiving one of these competitive grants. One of my first acts as a Senator was to expand community service opportunities for our military men and women by successfully creating a national Veterans' Corps,” Sen. Warner said. “Veterans have a unique set of leadership skills and experiences that help strengthen our communities, and Virginia’s Veterans Corps has so far recruited over 1,000 volunteers and provided direct service to over 5,000 individuals in the military community.”

“I’d like to thank Senator Warner for his long-term commitment to veterans and veterans’ families,” Keith Styles, Chief Operations Officer of Catholic Charities, a grant recipient, said during a conference call with Virginia reporters.

“AmeriCorps members make a powerful impact on the toughest challenges facing our nation,” said Corporation for National & Community Service CEO Wendy Spencer. “Building on Virginia’s strong tradition of neighbor helping neighbor, AmeriCorps members will improve lives and strengthen communities across Virginia. While they serve others, AmeriCorps members will also expand opportunity for themselves - gaining skills and experience to jumpstart their careers.  As we mark the 20^th anniversary of AmeriCorps, we salute AmeriCorps members for their dedication, and thank our outstanding partners who make their service possible.”

The current year’s AmeriCorps grant cycle was highly competitive, due to the strong demand by organizations seeking AmeriCorps resources. The 2014 competition prioritized investments in economic opportunity, education, veterans and military families, disaster services, and continued a new initiative for governors and mayors. The grants are listed below.

• $186,200 to the Virginia Veterans Corps. 28 AmeriCorps members who are veterans or military spouses to provide peer support to veterans and active military service members and their families, helping them with health, mental health, educational, and social service needs.

• A formula grant of $2,830,356 to the Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Service to make additional grants to Virginia nonprofits this summer.

• $269,057 for the Peninsula AmeriCorps Service and Support for Learning. The 53 AmeriCorps members will provide mentoring, build social skills, and provide academic enrichment for academically-at-risk students at School Turnaround schools

• Almost $200,000 will go to Catholic Charities of the USA AmeriCorps Peer Navigators, a national organization headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia that operates around the country. 15 AmeriCorps members will help serve military service members, veterans and their families assisting with access to healthcare, social services, housing, and employment.