Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) has received continued funding of $421,852 from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism.
This grant will continue SMIF’s AmeriCorps LEAP (Learning Early Achieves Potential) Initiative program which focuses on school readiness for young children in its 20-county region, which includes Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona, and Olmsted Counties.
These grants allow organizations to recruit, train and supervise AmeriCorps members who are providing services to support education, disaster services, health, environmental stewardship, economic opportunity and service to veterans and military families.
In addition to gaining valuable skills, AmeriCorps LEAP members receive a monthly living allowance and a Segal Education Award to attend college, graduate school or pay qualified student loans. Members over 55 years of age can transfer their education award to a child or grandchild’s college cost.
SMIF is actively recruiting members for the 2022-23 school year.
Individuals interested in this program may apply online at smifoundation.org/leap by August 15.
Members begin the LEAP service term in August and serve through the following July. Full time and part time positions are available.