Denver - Monday, Aug. 19, 2019 - Serve Colorado, the Governor's Commission on Community Service, announced today that Denver ranks fifth among large cities in producing AmeriCorps members, according to new data released by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that administers the AmeriCorps program and leads the nation's national service and volunteer programs.
"I have seen firsthand the difference our AmeriCorps members make in Denver and throughout the state of Colorado," said Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera. "Thank you, Denver for inspiring your residents to pursue service and to our members and alumni for all their hard work."
Nearly 150 AmeriCorps members serve in Denver with organizations like City Year, Colorado State University's 4-H Extension, Colorado Youth Corps Association, Colorado Youth for a Change, and Parent Possible. As a state, Colorado has nearly 800 AmeriCorps members serving various organizations.
Every year, 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve through more than 21,000 schools, nonprofits, and community and faith-based organizations across the country. For more than two decades, dedicated Americans have joined AmeriCorps and pledged to get things done. They prepare students for college, reduce crime and revitalize cities, connect veterans to jobs, fight the opioid epidemic, rebuild communities following disasters, preserve public lands, strengthen education, foster economic opportunity, and more.
Since the program's inception in 1994, more than 1.1 million AmeriCorps members have served, giving more than 1.6 billion hours of service and earning more than $3.6 billion in education awards, or scholarships, $1 billion of which has been used to pay back student debt.
A growing body of research shows that service has an effect on more than just the communities served it impacts the members themselves. AmeriCorps alumni credit their year of service with helping them develop leadership skills that bridge divides, solve problems, and open doors to opportunities that advance their careers and education. In addition, research shows that alumni gain skills and are exposed to experiences that communities and employers find valuable.
Those interested in joining AmeriCorps can learn more at JoinAmeriCorps.gov.
The rankings were determined by associating the permanent address of AmeriCorps members to a U.S. designated place and state, including the District of Columbia. A large-sized city was defined as any place with a population greater than or equal to 250,000 people. Cities listed produce the highest number of AmeriCorps members per capita.