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News

AmeriCorps Programs serve youth with BBBSOK

08/19/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:
Amy Roff
Oklahoma Community Service Commission: (405) 235-7278

Oklahoma - The Oklahoma Community Service Commission recently announced grant awards to state and local nonprofit organizations, public agencies, schools, religious organizations and other community-based organizations that will serve as host sites for the Oklahoma Serves AmeriCorps Youth-Based Program. According to Nancy Sharrock, Executive Director, there will be 17 host sites for the Oklahoma Serves Youth-Based Program, which places 72 AmeriCorps members in service activities that will benefit children and youth. Members will implement new programs, expand on existing programs, and increase the quality of existing programs in local organizations dedicated to providing services to children and youth.

Since the inception of the Oklahoma Serves AmeriCorps program in 2004, 297 OK Serves members have impacted the lives of over 227,000 Oklahoma youth, many of whom are considerably underserved. Examples of program activities include tutoring and mentoring; life and marketable skills training; leadership training; gardening, cooking and nutrition education; arts, theatre and science-based activities; money management; nature exploration; physical education; prevention education; college and job preparation; and community service projects.

Host sites include: Angel Fire Equestrian-Coyle, Arts Council of Oklahoma City,
Big Brothers Big Sisters-Stillwater, Big Brothers Big Sisters-Tulsa, Campfire USA- Heart of Oklahoma Council, Campfire USA-Green Country Council, Center for Children and Families-Norman, Community After School Program-Norman, Community Youth Outreach-OKC, Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma, National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Statewide, New Hope Camp-Tulsa; Oklahoma Children's Theatre-OKC, On the Rock Ministries-Bartlesville, Positive Tomorrows-OKC, The Children's Hospital Volunteers-Oklahoma City, Youth & Family Resource Center-Shawnee.

Since 1994, more than one million Americans have participated in AmeriCorps, a national service initiative that provides an education award and a small living allowance for individuals who commit to a full or part-time term of community service. In Oklahoma, AmeriCorps members have been impacting communities statewide in numerous ways by tutoring and mentoring students, serving in after school and summer programs for at-risk youth, responding to natural disasters, revitalizing neighborhoods, providing home repairs for low-income families and offering financial literacy programs. In the tradition of VISTA and the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps members receive minimal financial compensation for their efforts. However, the long-term impact on the members themselves and the communities they serve is immeasurable.

For more information about the Oklahoma Serves Youth-Based program, please visit http://www.okamericorps.com/or contact Program Director, Amy Roff at 405-235-7278.