WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., today announced that the St. Bernard Project, City Year, Inc. and Louisiana Delta Service Corps will receive more than $1.8 million in AmeriCorps grants. These funds were awarded through the Fiscal Year 2009 AmeriCorps State and National funding competitions.

"In Louisiana, the value of a helping hand in a crisis will never be forgotten," Sen. Landrieu said. "Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, volunteers turned out in droves to help the Gulf Coast dry off, clean up and rebuild. In that spirit, AmeriCorps establishes networks of volunteers in our communities who help educate, feed and house our most vulnerable populations, setting a strong example for future generations. By teaching the importance of service, we will build stronger communities throughout America. This goal was underscored by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which President Obama signed in April."

The St. Bernard Project will receive a $520,384 grant, which will fund 39 AmeriCorps positions. The St. Bernard Project is an effort to rebuild neighborhoods that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent levee breaks. It focuses on helping people most in need, such as the elderly and families with children. With donations and volunteer help, they turn gutted homes into habitable residences in about 8-12 weeks at the average cost of $12,000. Last November, St. Bernard Project Co-Founder Liz McCartney was honored as CNN's 2008 Hero of the Year for her work with the project.

"The St. Bernard Project is thrilled to be chosen as a recipient of an AmeriCorps grant," said Zack Rosenberg, St. Bernard Project Director. "AmeriCorps has been one of the St. Bernard Project's most vital partners. Via AmeriCorps members, the St. Bernard Project is able to leverage funds and volunteer labor. Put simply, the St. Bernard Project's ability to meet our clients' needs is directly tied to the support that we receive from AmeriCorps."

City Year, Inc. will receive $738,000, which will fund 60 AmeriCorps member positions. City Year provides young people with the opportunity to commit a year to full-time service as tutors, mentors and role models. These funds will help provide afterschool programming in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, and will also help facilitate targeted tutoring and positive peer interactions.

"The grants that we are receiving from AmeriCorps are essential to City Year, as they make sure we can give the best possible service to the state of Louisiana," said Katrina Shaw, co-Executive Director of City Year Louisiana. "These funds ensure that our corps members have enough training, materials, and support to make the largest impact on the communities in Louisiana that need it most."

"It is at this time, when the economy has slowed and many Louisianans are unsure about their futures, that funding such as this is extra important," said Peggy Mendoza, co-Executive Director of City Year Louisiana. "The funding we are receiving will help make sure that City Year will be a resource for the many residents of Louisiana who are looking for opportunities not just for themselves, but also opportunities to improve their communities and state."

Louisiana Delta Service Corps will receive a grant for $566,510, which will fund 45 AmeriCorps member positions. This corps is a regional partner that focuses on meeting the long-standing needs of the poor. AmeriCorps members are placed in local non-profit organizations to strengthen their capacity to help clients and improve services. They also assist with generating new volunteers and disaster response.

"Our members have made a huge difference in the lives of children and families," said Louisiana Delta Service Corps Executive Director Elizabeth Irving. "We do multiple types of service, including tutoring, mentoring, and helping rebuild communities — especially New Orleans.

"We have at least 15 members in the last two years who are working to rebuild New Orleans house-by-house. Perhaps most importantly, like all AmeriCorps members, our volunteers are charged with recruiting, managing and overseeing many times their own number in other volunteers. Their job is to increase the capacity of local agencies to meet needs."