THE GULF COAST RECOVERY CORPS CELEBRATES AMERICORPS WEEK

Corps Honor History of AmeriCorps through Service Projects with the
Turkey Creek Community Initiative and Kiln Library

Bay Saint Louis, MS. May 13, 2007—The Corps Network’s Gulf Coast Recovery Corps is working on numerous service projects to celebrate the first annual AmeriCorps Week, May 13th through May 20th.

The AmeriCorps-funded Gulf Coast Recovery Corps is partnering with the Turkey Creek Community Initiative (TCCI) to restore the Gulfport Greenway. The Corpsmembers will build and repair recreational trails, plant trees and complete other projects to clean up the community. This effort is supported by the Gulfport International Airport.

Corpsmembers will also partner with the Kiln Library to build trails on the 12 acre property. Crews will survey the property and construct two trails with the help of a local landscape architect. The Kiln Library plans to use the trails for educational projects, to engage young people in the outdoors and to promote exercise.

Katie Rose, field director of the Gulf Coast Recovery Corps, said, “Corps from around the country have been working hard for several months along the Gulf Coast through the Gulf Coast Recovery Corps. This work continues during AmeriCorps Week. AmeriCorps Week is an excellent chance to highlight this work and appreciate the energy and enthusiasm these young people bring to the Gulf.”

The Gulf Coast Recovery Corps represents a large-scale deployment of our nation’s Service and Conservation Corps serving in Hancock County, MS, and other areas along the Gulf Coast. The efforts of the Gulf Coast Recovery Corps will continue this summer, bringing more than 100 additional Corpsmembers and staff to the region from Service and Conservation Corps nationwide. The Gulf Coast Recovery Corps is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service’s federal AmeriCorps program.

About the Gulf Coast Recovery Corps
The Gulf Coast Recovery Corps assists residents impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in long-term recovery efforts along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. The Gulf Coast Recovery Corps deploys crews of young people (ages 18-25) from the nation’s 113 Service and Conservation Corps for four week projects that include rebuilding homes and structures, chopping down damaged trees near homes, removing debris, restoring trails, replanting marshes and trees, performing environmental restoration and completing other projects.

Building upon the successes of the Gulf Coast Recovery Corps, The Corps Network will establish a permanent Gulf Coast Conservation Corps this year to continue meeting the needs of local residents in the long-term recovery efforts. For more information about the Gulf Coast Recovery Corps, contact Katie Rose at krose@corpsnetwork.org or (228) 229-0803.


About The Corps Network
The Corps Network is the voice of the nation’s 113 Service and Conservation Corps. Currently operating in 42 states and the District of Columbia, Corps annually enroll more than 23,000 young men and women who contribute about 13 million hours of service per year. In 2004, Corps mobilized 124,000 community volunteers who contributed over 2.4 million additional hours of service.

Established in 1985 as the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps (NASCC), The Corps Network was at the forefront of the national service movement and remains so today. Corps are state and local programs engaging primarily young adults (ages 16-25) in service. The majority of Corpsmembers come to Corps looking for a second chance to succeed in life. In return for their efforts, Corpsmembers receive guidance by adult leaders who serve as mentors and role models, a modest stipend and a wide range of member development services
including significant educational opportunities, employment and training, life skill
development, and the opportunity to invest in their communities.

For more information, visit www.corpsnetwork.org or contact: Patrick Fitzgerald, The Corps Network at pfitzgerald@corpsnetwork.org or at (202) 737-6272.

Contacts:
Katie Rose
Gulf Coast Recovery Corps, Field Director
(228) 229-0803
krose@corpsnetwork.org

Patrick Fitzgerald
The Corps Network, Communications Director
(202) 737-6272
pfitzgerald@corpsnetwork.org

###