(Washington, DC)—Serve DC announced this week that Earth Conservation Corps (ECC) and Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) will receive funding totaling $620,000, for the next year, to engage local AmeriCorps members in projects that meet a variety of vital community needs. ECC will receive $310,000 to continue its efforts, including restoring the Anacostia watershed and environmental outreach to local elementary schools.  LAYC, also receiving $310,000, provides one-on-one tutoring to children and adults in underserved areas.
"We are excited that these two highly successful programs are continuing Serve DC’s mission to strengthen community service in the District of Columbia,” said Lucila Lagace, Director of National Service for Serve DC, “These programs are truly committed to improving the lives of area citizens."

The award announced today is part of annual formula funding that Serve DC receives from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Today’s announcement is a result of a competition that had not been opened since 2001. When added together, the funding from the AmeriCorps*State formula grant competition will support approximately 50 AmeriCorps members that will work in conjunction with the other 700 members that are presently serving in DC. After receiving the initial amount, both programs will have the opportunity to apply for “continuation" grants for each additional year of the funding period, for a total of two years.

The formula grants from Serve DC are for AmeriCorps program administration–about $12,400 for each full-time equivalent member that covers a modest AmeriCorps member’s living allowance, benefits, and other program costs. After completing their term of service, members are eligible to receive an education award, pro-rated to the amount of time they served, that they can use to pay for college or graduate school.

About Serve DC
The mission of Serve DC is to strengthen and promote the District of Columbia's spirit of service through partnerships, national service and volunteerism. Housed in the Executive Office of the Mayor, Serve DC accomplishes its mission by enhancing the education of the community's youth, improving citizen safety and neighborhood emergency preparedness, and strengthening the community through service. Specifically, the office administers programs such as Citizen Corps, AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve, DC Youth Advisory Council, The Early Chapters, the Mayor's Community Service Award and National Youth Service Day.