Parish of Natchitoches’s Office of Community Services (OCS) announced today that it has received an AmeriCorps Seniors grant of $204,999 from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism.

The grant will expand the Office of Community Services presence in Natchitoches Parish, where OCS has been providing community service activities for citizens since 1985.

“The Parish of Natchitoches is a proud sponsor of the Foster Grandparents Program as it supports the engagement of older adults in our communities who have so much to contribute. By sharing their time and experience, we can meet critical needs in education”, said Sharon Harris, OCS Executive Director

With this new funding, Parish of Natchitoches Office of Community Services will leverage the skills and experience of AmeriCorps volunteers in Natchitoches Parish to improve the reading scores of students. These AmeriCorps volunteers will help students increase their reading levels by providing one-on-one tutoring, assist teachers, helping children, and communicating with children The programs also enable adults over the age of 55 to gain valuable skills through service, helping them gainfully return to the workforce.

Learn more about AmeriCorps Seniors at AmeriCorps.gov/Seniors. Sign up to be an AmeriCorps Senior FGP volunteer by calling (318) 357-2220.

AmeriCorps Seniors serve in all 50 states and the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. AmeriCorps adapts to meet some of the most pressing needs of communities, advance civic engagement and empower individuals across the generations to improve lives and communities all over the country.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, celebrates its 30th anniversary. Three decades ago, more than 20,000 Americans raised their right hands and pledged to get things done for America. These volunteers helped more than 1,000 communities nationwide during AmeriCorps’ first year of service. Since then, more than 1.25 million Americans have served with AmeriCorps. Join with AmeriCorps to celebrate the successes, impact, and milestone moments that helped change the nation’s trajectory – moments that brought out the best of America, visit AmeriCorps.gov/AmeriCorps30.