Governor Patrick Awards More Than $2.3 Million In Grants For Commonwealth Corps Volunteers

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

August 15, 2008

Contact:
Kyle Sullivan
Cyndi Roy
Becky Deusser
617-725-4025


BOSTON– Friday, August 15, 2008 – Commonwealth Corps volunteers will soon be on the ground throughout Massachusetts, as Governor Deval Patrick today announced $2,384,660 in grant funding for 36 public and non-profit organizations to take on nearly 300 volunteers later this fall. "I am delighted to announce these awards as we work to implement Commonwealth Corps and call individuals to service to help make a real difference in communities across Massachusetts," said Governor Patrick. "We have a long history of service in the Commonwealth and I am pleased that the Commonwealth Corps has become the next chapter in that history.”

The Commonwealth Corp Commission and the Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) made final recommendations on funding to the Governor based on recommendations and input from 80 volunteer community reviewers from a variety of backgrounds. MSA is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as the state commission on community service and volunteerism and has been selected to administer the Commonwealth Corps grants.

Organizations will now begin the recruiting process, and volunteers should be starting at sites around the state by November.

Proposed by Governor Patrick in 2007, the mission of the Commonwealth Corps is to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages and backgrounds in direct service to rebuild communities and address their unmet needs. Commonwealth Corps will provide opportunities for skill building, leadership development and will encourage and enhance a lifelong civic vocation for its members.

Commonwealth Corps will work with non-profit organizations and public entities to reinvigorate civic involvement to help address the Commonwealth's most urgent needs. Commonwealth Corps members will work to strengthen the bonds of common purpose and unite people in service for the common good. Corps members will provide direct service, recruit, organize and mobilize additional volunteers - building a grassroots movement of volunteers dedicated to service.