Udall, Heinrich Announce $180,387 in AmeriCorps Grants to New Mexico Tribes

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that two New Mexico tribes have won AmeriCorps grants to meet critical needs in their communities. The Shiprock Chapter of the Navajo Nation, Navajo AmeriCorps in Nenahnezad and Santo Domingo Pueblo will receive funding totaling $180,387.

"By both helping New Mexico communities thrive and offering AmeriCorps members an opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience, the AmeriCorps program is truly a win-win," Udall said. "I'm excited to welcome new AmeriCorps members to Shiprock, Nenahnezad and soon to Santo Domingo Pueblo. Their work will make a lasting difference to our veterans, youth and tribal communities."

"National service is a critical and cost effective approach to strengthening our communities. This is a rewarding opportunity for AmeriCorps members in Shiprock, Nenahnezad, and Santo Domingo Pueblo to gain valuable experience in improving public health, helping our veterans, and preserving tribal lands," Heinrich said, a member of the National Service Congressional Caucus and the first AmeriCorp alum to serve in the United States Senate. "As a former AmeriCorps volunteer in New Mexico, I know first-hand that there is no venture more rewarding than working to improve the lives of those around us."

The projects funded by the new AmeriCorps grants are:

- Shiprock Chapter of the Navajo Nation - $88,922 to support 16 AmeriCorps members. Based in Shiprock, the members will provide assistance to local veterans and their families, and work with the community to improve tribal lands and waterways.

- Navajo AmeriCorps - $62,463 to support 12 AmeriCorps members at the Navajo Nenahnezad Chapter. Members will focus on promoting physical activity, nutrition and food security by improving a community walking path and facilitating a variety of activities with youth and other community members.

- Santo Domingo Pueblo - $29,002 to develop an AmeriCorps program at Santo Domingo Pueblo. The program will focus on expanding disaster services through the Corporation for National and Community Service.

AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to meet critical needs. Its members serve thousands of nonprofit and faith-based organizations in rural and urban communities throughout the nation. Among other activities, AmeriCorps members tutor and mentor youth, expand health services, build affordable housing, run after-school programs, help veterans access employment and other services, respond to disasters, and recruit and train other volunteers.