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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 11, 2000

CLINTON ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES NEW BUDGET INITIATIVES TO ENCOURAGE

                           COMMUNITY SERVICE
                            January 11, 2000

Today, the White House will announce an investment of over $850 million in President Clinton's FY 2001 budget to support community service and to empower more Americans to renew our civic life. This increase of nearly $120 million for the Corporation for National Service keeps AmeriCorps on track for the President's goal of 100,000 members each year by the year 2004. The budget will also include a new "AmeriCorps Reserves" program, modeled after the military reserves, and designed to engage former Corps members in times of need. The Administration will also announce $15.5 million in new initiatives that reward innovations in youth service, as well as additional resources to encourage service by senior citizens, and to engage students in learning through community service.

EXPANDING AMERICORPS AND CREATING A NEW "RESERVES" PROGRAM TO ENGAGE AMERICORPS ALUMS IN COMMUNITY SERVICE.

Keeping AmeriCorps On Track for 100,000 Members a Year. With a $73 million increase, AmeriCorps will be able to grow to 100,000 new members a year over the next four years. Since the launch of AmeriCorps five years ago, more than 150,000 Americans have served on the front lines in hard-pressed neighborhoods--tutoring in schools, responding to natural disasters, helping to make our streets safer, building homes, and more. In fact, more Americans have served in AmeriCorps in the last five years than have served in the entire history of the Peace Corps.

"AmeriCorps Reserves" to Engage Former Corpsmembers in Service. The President's budget includes $5 million to create a new AmeriCorps reserves program that will enable former Corpsmembers to re-engage in service to their communities, particularly in times of crisis. This pilot program would be modeled on the military reserves: former AmeriCorps members would serve in the Reserve Corps on weekends and/or after work, and would address national crises, including natural disasters. The Reserves will build on the AmeriCorps Continuing Service initiative, which connects AmeriCorps alums to community service projects through a partnership with national non-profit organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, the National Mentoring Partnership and the YMCA.

"COMMUNITY COACHES" AND OTHER INNOVATIVE INVESTMENTS IN YOUTH-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS.

Community Coaches. For the first time, the Corporation for National Service will award $5 million in grants to place a "community coach" in nearly 1,000 schools. Community Coaches -- AmeriCorps members, teachers, and counselors -- can help students make the most of their community service and can act as a vital link between the school, the business sector, and the local community. This initiative is modeled after the Community Coaches program pioneered by the national youth leadership non-profit organization Do Something. Do Something is already supporting community coaches in more than 100 schools in 75 communities across the country.

Youth Empowerment Grants. The budget also includes $3 million for new Youth Empowerment Grants, competitive fellowships that reward young social entrepreneurs dedicated to solving problems in their communities. The Corporation for National Service will award the grants to community-based organizations that sponsor young people who have designed and developed their own projects. These will include efforts to prevent youth violence, programs to improve civic participation, and initiatives that engage older students in tutoring and mentoring.

America's Promise: The Alliance for Youth. The budget will include $7.5 million for this national crusade to help all children grow into healthy, strong, and productive adults. America's Promise focuses on five promises for every child: (1) an ongoing relationship with a caring adult -- parent, mentor, tutor or coach; (2) a safe place with structured activities during non-school hours; (3) a healthy start; (4) a marketable skill through effective education; and (5) an opportunity to give back through service.

SUPPORTING SENIOR CITIZENS IN SERVICE TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.

The President's budget expands funds for senior service by $9.7 million. These funds will provide additional opportunities for thousands of older Americans to serve their communities.

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