María Elvira Salazar: “amendment No. 2225 also makes sure that our national service programs effectively serve all of our citizens. This…”

“amendment No. 2225 also makes sure that our national service programs effectively serve all of our citizens. This amendment calls on the Corporation for National and Community Service to report on efforts to bring its programs to rural communities. These programs include, first, the AmeriCorps program, which has done wonders, which was created in 1994 and provides opportunities for more than 70,000 Americans to work in 3,000 public agencies, faith-based and other community organizations. Through the various AmeriCorps programs, volunteers tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, take care of our environment, and help communities respond to disasters. In exchange, they are given an opportunity to build career skills, to invest in a community, and are provided a small educational stipend. The programs also include Senior Corps, which recognizes that seniors are one of America's most vital resources. The programs also include Learn and Serve America. Learn and Serve America supports schools, higher education institutions, and community- based organizations that engage students, their teachers, and others in service-learning. Through Learn and Serve, students get their hands dirty. Service-learning connects teaching in the classroom with communities. Nearly 1 million students participated in Learn and Serve programs last year.…”