FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2016
Contact: Jennifer Kaulius
802.324.2505
Vermont Mayors Honor AmeriCorps and Senior Corps Members
and Celebrate Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service
Burlington, VT – The Vermont Mayors Coalition today honored AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and other service members and highlighted the value of their national service to their communities through a joint proclamation and during events in Burlington and Montpelier. Vermont’s eight mayors, represented by Montpelier Mayor Hollar and Barre Mayor Lauzon at an event in Montpelier yesterday and represented by Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger at a Burlington waterfront clean-up service event today, joined more than 3,100 officials from around the nation offering similar recognition of their cities’ service members during the fourth annual Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service, a nationwide bipartisan effort to:
- Recognize the positive and lasting impact of national service on our cities;
- Thank AmeriCorps and Senior Corps participants who serve; and
- Encourage citizens to give back to their communities.
“I am proud to be working with the Vermont Mayors Coalition as we continue to strengthen communities through national service,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “County officials and Mayors are leaders who get things done. They know first-hand the value of national service in tackling local problems. I commend the Vermont Mayors Coalition members for working with us to improve lives and strengthen communities through national service.”
“National service is a vital resource for our City, and we are proud to host AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members in more than 50 service locations across Burlington, helping to make it a stronger, safer, healthier, and more equitable place,” said Mayor Weinberger. “We recognize the dedication, commitment, and sacrifice of all of those engaged in service, including those serving in our new ECO AmeriCorps program to protect and improve water quality in Lake Champlain and other critical watersheds. Today, as we thank national service members for their commitment, let us all pledge to do our part to strengthen our City through service and volunteering.”
“The City of Burlington and the State of Vermont have been critical and supportive partners of the ECO AmeriCorps Program, as we work towards engaging communities to improve and protect Vermont’s natural resources,” said ECO AmeriCorps program director Carey Hengstenberg.
The nation’s Mayors increasingly are turning to national service and volunteerism as a cost-effective strategy to tackle challenges in their communities. Key partners in Vermont’s service efforts include:
- The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through AmeriCorps and other programs; and
- SerVermont, a State of Vermont commission that administers funding to the state’s AmeriCorps service programs, AmeriCorps*VISTA program, and promotes, supports, and recognizes volunteerism and community service throughout Vermont.
Vermont has engaged in national service for more than 20 years to make our state stronger. Beginning in 1993 and continuing to today, national service resources have been leveraged to address our state’s toughest challenges, including poverty and racism. This year, Vermont has over 200 AmeriCorps members serving throughout the state. More than 75 of those members serve in the Mayors’ communities. In addition, over 1,200 Senior Corps members serve in Vermont, with more than 375 Senior Corps members serving in the Mayors’ communities.
“National service members continue to play a critical role in addressing Vermont’s biggest challenges” said Phil Kolling, Executive Director of SerVermont. “Our state is stronger and getting more done because of the efforts of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members. Unified support from our Mayors demonstrates that the service provided to their communities by national service members makes a difference. ”
Vermont’s national service programs include six AmeriCorps State programs: Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, Vermont Youth Development Corps at the Washington County Youth Services Bureau, Lyndon Economic Opportunity Program at Lyndon State College, Environmental Careers and Opportunities Program at the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Vermont Campus Compact Pathways Program at the Vermont Higher Education Council, and the We All Belong Program at Burlington’s Community and Economic Development Office. Vermont also hosts the Vermont Youth Tomorrow and SerVermont AmeriCorps*VISTA Programs. Senior Corps programs in Vermont include Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and Retired Senior Volunteer Program, all operating statewide out of multiple agencies. National service members are all ages and perform many different types of service, from physical labor and direct service with the community to behind-the-scenes assistance to increase organizational efficiency.
SerVermont and these national service programs receive funding from the CNCS. For more information about Vermont’s national service programs, please visit the Vermont Service Profile page on the CNCS website.
*Please see attached Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service proclamation.
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