Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Kennedy and Obama making big moves, House passes Serve America Act


Today, the House of Representatives passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act (H.R. 1388/S. 277). President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law.

This bill "will create a Community Solutions Fund within the Corporation for National and Community Service to award grants to nonprofit organizations for “social entrepreneurship” projects. "

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "By creating 175,000 new service opportunities - more than tripling the number of volunteers nationwide, and rewarding those who volunteer with real investments in their education, we are launching a new era of service. This new era of service will create a stronger nation for all Americans."

This bill will expand elements of AmeriCorps and would provide service opportunities for seniors, teachers, scientists, engineers, accounting and Internet technology professionals, who were not eligible under the original AmeriCorps legislation passed almost twenty years ago.

Keep an eye out for new service corps: Clean Energy, Education, Healthy Futures and Veterans Service Corps. Watch for educational stipends for high school seniors. All in all, big moves. Read more about the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

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