TNAC’s Big Announcement
Friday, June 23 was an exciting day for True North AmeriCorps. With the help of Mayor Emily Larson, Superintendent Bill Gronseth, Representative Liz Olson, and Duluth YMCA board member Briana Johnson, True North AmeriCorps announced it was awarded a three-year grant and will receive $415,000/year for the program, in addition to matching local cash and in-kind contributions of $457,000. The grant will provide 35 full time positions to schools and youth serving agencies to target critical areas of youth development–including math/reading proficiency, after-school enrichment, service-learning opportunities, and outdoor education.
At the press conference, Rep. Liz Olson spoke about the role True North AmeriCorps played in her journey to public office. “It was a lot of the leadership skills and friendships and the deep commitment that I had for my community that I really experienced through the AmeriCorps programs,” Olson said.
Superintendent Bill Gronseth commented on the role True North AmeriCorps plays in meeting students’ needs. “Through our multi-tiered system of support, we’ve been able to use the help of True North AmeriCorps to provide specific interventions for students exactly when they need them … and we’re proud to say that we are making progress. But there’s still work to be done and that’s why it’s so important to continue these partnerships and that we’re so happy to see this funding.”
The City of Duluth is a major support to the True North AmeriCorps program, contributing $150,000 to the program. “I watch kids go home after school or in the middle of the summer looking for fun, safe places to be and I’ve watched our youth programs and youth-serving agencies be transformed by this funding and the caring adults in their lives,” Mayor Larson said.
Watch video of the event here.
Program Director Jonna Stilling and Coordinator Chris Lund also appeared on WDSE’s ‘Almanac North’ show to talk about the grant award and the position openings. Watch here.