LISC wins funding, AmeriCorps to begin work here in September

Eight AmeriCorps members will begin work in the Greater Cincinnati area on September 1, thanks to nearly $2.1 million in grants awarded to the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).

The grant, provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service, will allow LISC of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky local AmeriCorps members to work on the revitalization of low-income communities in partnership with Price Hill Will, Santa Maria Community Services, the Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington, and Working in Neighborhoods.

Programs to be implemented through the partnership include the development of affordable housing, homeownership and foreclosure prevention counseling, and continuing education and ESL opportunities.

"We're thrilled to be welcoming so many AmeriCorps members to our communities, because they play a crucial role in helping transform neighborhoods into great places to live, work and raise families," said Kathy Schwab, executive director of LISC of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky.

Each member will be deployed for a one-year commitment.

LISC draws the majority of its AmeriCorps members from the low-income communities in which it works, and places them in community-based organizations that pursue projects that fit with LISC's Building Sustainable Communities strategy.

"Developing high-quality affordable housing is a top priority," Schwab said. "But AmeriCorps members will also help engage immigrant families in their children's schools, provide financial guidance and institute after-school activities for underachieving students. In addition, the leadership skills they develop in their year of service will continue to benefit their communities for years to come."

Greater Cincinnati is one of 16 locations in which AmeriCorps members will be deployed.

Additional locations include Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Houston, Jacksonville, Michigan, Milwaukee, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Phoenix, Rhode Island, San Diego, San Francisco/Oakland, Toledo, and Virginia.

Previous reading on BC:
Cincinnati approves addition to LISC grant pool (6/26/08)
LISC grant could fund market-rate housing (6/17/08)