Thanks to the generosity of key Quad Cities funders, some local AmeriCorps staff and members now will be able to complete their service commitments this summer, the City of Davenport announced.
According to the city, the Regional Development Authority (RDA) led a community effort to locate funds to enable the Americorps’ work to continue. The program faced a possible elimination after losing a federal grant.
In late April, the city announced it was ending its AmeriCorps program after a decision by the federal government to cut all funding for the service commission nationwide. The grant funding plus the city’s match amounted to about $920,000 for the grant year.
At the time, the city said the action was expected to impact 22 AmeriCorps members currently working in Davenport as well as six others who were about to start summer contracts.
But within days of learning the news, RDA rallied other community partners to find a way to fill the gap. In a news release Thursday, May 29, the city said contributions from RDA, Quad City Bank & Trust, Quad Cities Community Foundation, Hubbell-Waterman Foundation, and IHMVCU will support the payment of living stipends for Americorps members’ service through the end of August.
The city did not disclose how much was donated by the organizations.
The funding will allow five year-round members and three seasonal members to complete their service at these Davenport-based organizations: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley, Common Chord, the City of Davenport Park and Recreation, and the Putnam Museum and Science Center.
The donation also supports one part-time and two full-time positions at Nahant Marsh Educational Center in west Davenport. Those members now will serve as part of the Iowa National Service Corps rather than AmeriCorps.
In the release, service members shared their gratitude for a second chance to work. “This new opportunity to continue working with Big Brothers Big Sisters means everything to me,” Dyashia Colvin said in the release.
Nahant Marsh Executive Director Brian Ritter also applauded the community support for helping continue its fun and affordable programs. “We are overwhelmed and so incredibly thankful to those organizations who stepped up so quickly to provide funding.”
In addition, the city is retaining both program staff members to support members and prepare them for the next steps in the process as more information becomes available.
“The City of Davenport is grateful the community recognized the invaluable contributions of these dedicated service members,” City Administrator Doug Maxeiner said. “We feel confident this investment will make a difference in the lives of young people served by our community partners.”
Previously, Davenport said it has hosted 870 members in the 14 years it has had the local Americorps program.
