THE CORPS NETWORK’S RURALRESPONSE AMERICORPS PROGRAMS CELEBRATE AMERICORPS WEEK

Corps in Minnesota, Ohio, Vermont, and Illinois Honor History of AmeriCorps through Service Projects, Service Hours Pledge Drives and Specialized Trainings

Washington, DC. May 13, 2007—The Minnesota Conservation Corps, Quilter Civilian Conservation Corps (Fremont, OH), Vermont Youth Conservation Corps and Youth Conservation Corps, Inc. (Waukegan, IL), participants in The Corps Network’s RuralResponse program, are celebrating and recognizing the hard work of their Corpsmembers during AmeriCorps Week, May 13th through May 20th.

RuralResponse Corps are celebrating AmeriCorps Week through various events. The Youth Conservation Corps, Inc., will give presentations at Waukegan High School, the United Way of Lake County, Zion-Benton Township High School, Northwest University and complete Service Hours Pledge Drives at Waukegan City Hall and the Field House at Hinkston Park.

The Minnesota Conservation Corps is completing critical service projects including wildfire prevention in Northern Minnesota and training volunteers in trail maintenance and tool use.

The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps will be congregating at the program’s Leadership, Education and Training Center for a three-day orientation.

The Quilter Civilian Conservation Corps will be holding a screening of the PBS
documentary, A Generation of Change: Strengthening America through Service and Conservation, on May 16th for more than 400 people. The documentary focuses on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s and the work of Service and Conservation Corps today, including profiles of Corpsmembers from across the country.

Sally Prouty, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Corps Network, said, “Our RuralResponse program is an important asset in rural communities throughout the country. We are so proud of the Corpsmembers’ hard work and I am thrilled with the numerous AmeriCorps Week Celebrations.”

The Corps Network’s RuralResponse program is funded by a three year grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service, the parent agency of AmeriCorps. Participating Service and Conservation Corps bolster homeland security and disaster response capacity in underserved rural communities by filling gaps in rural emergency response networks. The program also trains Corpsmembers in specific disaster preparedness and response activities such as first aid, adult and child CPR, mass care, use of global positioning systems (GPS), shelter operations, hazardous materials removal, chain saw safety and use and
wildfire suppression.

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.

Contact:

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

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