Rural Trust Awarded Learn and Serve Grant; Will Create Youth Network in 7 Rural Communities


Last Updated: September 18, 2009
 

Learn and Serve AmericaThe Rural School and Community Trust has been awarded a Learn and Serve America Community-Based grant by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a 3-year award valued at up to $580,000.
 
For 13 years, the Rural Trust has supported partnerships to build healthier communities. This grant will be used to continue this work by establishing a network of 5 to 10 youth-serving organizations in up to 7 rural communities in 5 states — Warren County, NC; Montpelier, VT; Jackman, ME; and East Iberville Parish, LA. The Rural Trust will make sub-grants; train and coach partnerships to design, integrate, and sustain out-of-school time service learning; and help develop academic, civic and leadership curricula. Youth serving organizations will be lead partners and will facilitate out-of-school time service learning activities.
 
 
Poverty reduction and financial literacy will be the common issue across sites. In two communities, participants will be certified to operate volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) centers. In other sites, they may focus on energy audits, conservation and alternative fuels or hunger reduction. In all cases, they will educate low-income residents about tax credits, predatory lending and asset building. They will develop new job skills, entrepreneurial interests, leadership skills and civic mindedness. Partnering organizations will develop a culture of service and an appreciation for the need to integrate youth and service into their daily operations.
 
The goal of Learn and Serve America is to engage students, educators, and community residents of all ages and backgrounds in service and service-learning to enhance education, civic participation and communities. The mission of the Corporation for National and Community Service is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.

Our four partners for this project are:
 
Community Connections, Montpelier, Vermont
http://www.communityconnections.us/
 
Jackman Region Association, Jackman, Maine
http://www.jackman.ws/
http://www.sad12.com
http://www.sad12.com/IT/Service_Learning/default.aspx  
 
Mid-City Redevelopment Alliance Asset Building Coalition, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
http://www.midcityredevelopment.org/
 
Warren Family Institute, Warrenton, North Carolina
http://warrenfamilyinstitute.org/