Chubbuck Mayor England, Pocatello Mayor Blad to Recognize National Service, April 3 and 5

POCATELLO – The efforts of AmeriCorps members, including those from Idaho State University, who annually contribute more than 64,000 hours of service to communities throughout Idaho, will be recognized by Chubbuck Mayor Kevin England April 3, 6 p.m., Chubbuck City Hall, and by Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad, April 5, 6 p.m., Pocatello City Hall.

“AmeriCorps members have been volunteering service to help those who need of health screenings or health education; and those who need dental work through dental hygiene; and for those with physical and other health challenges we have physical therapy, physician assistant and radio graphic students serving them,” said Barbara Cunningham, senior grant project coordinator at the ISU Institute of Rural Health, and director of the Idaho Health Care for Children and Families AmeriCorps Program.

Blad and England will join more than 4,520 mayors nationwide who will recognize community service in April.

“We are honored that Mayors Blad and England are participating in this event,” Cunningham said. “All of our community’s volunteers deserve recognition, and we are proud that Idaho State University is highly involved in service through the AmeriCorps programs.”

The AmeriCorps program administered through ISU is the Idaho Health Care for Children and Families program.

“It provides aid where there are gaps in service and where services need to be expanded to Idaho’s low-income children and families,” Cunningham said.

For the Idaho Health Care for Children and Families program, there are 10 stipend members that each provide 1,700 hours annually and two who provide 900 hours annually. There are 44 education-award-only members who contribute 450 hours per year, and five education-award-only who each provide 675 hours annually.

“Every single day of the year, AmeriCorps members and volunteers are making Pocatello and Chubbuck greater places to live,” Cunningham said.

Full-time education-award-only members receive $5,815 for education, either to apply towards tuition or to pay off student loans. Full-time stipend members receive the education award, plus $12,630 annually for serving 1,700 hours.

Cunningham said that AmeriCorps programs do more than move communities forward; they serve their communities by creating jobs and providing pathways to opportunity for young people entering the workforce. Nationwide, AmeriCorps places thousands of young adults into intensive service positions where they learn valuable work skills, earn money for education, and develop an appreciation for citizenship.