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Feds Grant $10.3 Million for Homeland Security Volunteers
Wednesday, July 24, 2002
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service

"The grant money goes to nonprofit organizations and, in some cases, cities, to recruit, train, supervise and equip volunteers to help in homeland security."

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
The federal government is providing $10.3 million in grants to help nonprofit and public organizations involve citizen volunteers in homeland security.

"The homeland will be secure when our hometowns are secure," Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge said recently. "Citizens can and must play an active role in protecting their communities."

Many Americans have asked how they can help, he said. Volunteer programs across the country provide the answer.

In his State of the Union address in January, President Bush called upon all Americans to dedicate at least 4,000 hours in volunteer service to the nation over the course of their lives. Today, more than 2 million Americans engage each year in national service through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America -- three programs brought under Bush's new umbrella USA Freedom Corps.

The president set up the Corporation for National and Community Service last November to be part of the Freedom Corps to recruit volunteers to support public safety, public health and disaster preparedness and relief. Ridge announced July 18 that the corporation would award $10.3 million in competitive grants to 43 nonprofit and public organizations in 26 states and the District of Columbia.

Of the total, $5 million will go to 17 special volunteer programs to support 27,800 volunteers; $4.3 million will go to 16 AmeriCorps organizations to support 7,024 volunteers and to pay living allowances to 356 full-time staff workers; and $1 million will go to 10 organizations to support 2,691 Senior Corps volunteers.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

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