The East St. Louis School District will receive $1.7 million in federal grant funds over the next two years to support 202 AmeriCorps members, who will assist teachers in the classrooms and help with afterschool programs.
East St. Louis will be one of 10 communities nationwide to become part of the new Operation AmeriCorps initiative, according to a June 10 announcement by the federal agency that administers AmeriCorps, the Corporation for National and Community Service.
The idea behind the initiative is to “use national service as the transformative catalyst to address a community’s most pressing local problem,” according to a statement from the corporation.
In May 2011, the Illinois State Board of Education took control of the East St. Louis School District – an action triggered by years of academic failure. The district has 6,100 students, and academic performance levels have continued to drop since 2012, according to Illinois Department of Education data.
“This grant will advance our goals in increasing student achievement and our commitment to excellence,” Devon Horton, assistant superintendent of the East St. Louis School District 189, said in a media conference call on June 10. “It will also expand opportunities for our youth.”
Starting in August, 85 AmeriCorps members will aid students in and out of the classroom, and during the summer months. AmeriCorp will have volunteers from the community and elsewhere assisting students during the school day.
In addition, six AmeriCorps VISTA members will implement a city-wide College and Career Pathways program, focused on improving academic achievement and college and career planning. A team of 20 AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps will participate in a program that will include academic, recreation, and service learning projects for three months over the summer.
“This is a great day for East St. Louis,” said the corporation’s chief executive officer Wendy Spencer. “This was a highly competitive grant.”
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center will be a principal partner in the initiative, said Jesse Dixon, the center’s director.
“Operation AmeriCorps East St. Louis will provide an unprecedented level of support for students throughout the community, while strengthening our collective impact across community organizations,” Dixon said.
After school, the students will be able to receive support from East St. Louis agencies and entities partnering with the initiative. Other community partners besides SIUE include: the Jackie Joyner Kersee Foundation, Christian Activity Center, Griffin Center and Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House.
The full-time AmeriCorps positions provide a living allowance, training and a college scholarship. Spencer said there is no set goal for the number of local residents who are hired, but they could all be local if the school district decides. Spencer said she prefers a mix of local and out-of-town AmeriCorps members, and the program aims for a diverse selection of candidates.
Members completing their service are eligible to earn a total of $455,576 in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards to pay for higher education or pay back student loans.
East St. Louis School District is the seventh organization in the nation to receive Operation AmeriCorps funding, an initiative launched by the corporation last fall. Previously announced Operation AmeriCorps grantees include Salt Lake County, Utah; New York City; Tucson, AZ; Flint, MI; Pawtucket, RI; and Bloomfield, Iowa. Additional Operation AmeriCorps grantees will be announced later this month.
“This grant allows us to strengthen our relationship with the after-school providers and higher education partners in our community,” said East St. Louis School District Superintendent Arthur Culver.
“Together, we will provide students with an opportunity to acquire knowledge that will enhance their academic experience.”
