YPIE Awarded $322K from AmeriCorps Volunteer Generation Grant

YONKERS, NEW YORK—December 19, 2022—Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE) announced today that it has received a Volunteer Generation Fund grant of $322K from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. In its 15th year, YPIE partners with the Yonkers Public Schools to ensure students are ready for, enroll in, and complete college.

The Volunteer Generation Fund invests in organizations to increase both volunteer recruitment and retention to engage those who answer the call to serve. With this funding, YPIE will continue to leverage the skills and experience of volunteers from across the community to ensure Yonkers students have equitable access to vital services needed for college success.

YPIE has one of the largest volunteer programs in Westchester County, with more than 250 trained volunteers serving as mentors and college essay coaches for Yonkers students.

“YPIE is honored to receive this generous funding from AmeriCorps, alongside 17 other deserving organizations,” stated Sam Wallis, YPIE Executive Director. “With our large community of dedicated volunteers who work closely with the YPIE staff, we look forward to using this funding to continue supporting students on the path to college and addressing setbacks caused by the pandemic.”

YPIE provides direct services to students in Yonkers Public high schools using a comprehensive model with services from staff and volunteers. YPIE’s volunteer coaching model, which includes recruiting, training, and deploying volunteers, has the singular goal of ensuring students receive individualized adult support on their journeys to college and beyond.

“To transform the mindset and trajectory to college for underserved young adults and their families requires relentless commitment and passion from community-based organizations working collaboratively with school districts,” noted Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, Superintendent of the Yonkers Public Schools. “AmeriCorps recognition and support for YPIE’s outstanding volunteer program illustrates the quality and breadth of the mentoring accomplished for Yonkers students. YPIE is the quintessential partner in Yonkers’ work to provide equity and access for our students promulgating our kindergarten through grade 12 initiative, College Is My Future.”

“Yonkers Partners in Education is an incredible resource for many Yonkers students and I’m thrilled to congratulate them on their $322,000 Volunteer Generation Fund Grant from AmeriCorps,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman Ed.D. (NY-16). “Through YPIE’s partnership with Yonkers Public Schools, Yonkers students will have better access to the college resources that help prepare them for success during the college application process, in college, and beyond. This grant will allow YPIE to expand their number of volunteers and students they serve because every student deserves equitable access to college readiness programs. Yonkers students are in great hands and I am excited to see YPIE continue to serve our community to the fullest extent.”

“Through national service and volunteerism, AmeriCorps invests in new and innovative ways to engage communities and foster a sense of action and belonging,” said Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO. “We look forward to working together to recruit volunteers to support our nation’s students and address the longstanding inequities and opportunity gaps worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at YPIE, visit www.ypie.org/volunteer.

Each year, Americans from all walks of life come together in service to others, to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges at schools and shelters, hospitals and hotlines, and civic, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations across the country. These volunteers are essential to the nation’s economic and social well-being and AmeriCorps’ research shows many benefits to volunteerism.

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About Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE)

Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE) partners with students to ensure they are ready for, enroll in, and complete college. We confront the challenges of a low-income, urban school district by providing families with equitable access to the critical tools and services necessary for college success. In its 15th year, YPIE puts college within reach for thousands of Yonkers students. Learn more at www.ypie.org.

About AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at www.AmeriCorps.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT

Susan Schwartz
Senior Director, Communications
sschwartz@ypie.org
(914) 377-4882

https://www.ypie.org/_files/ugd/7a3171_3dc8b22f32d5464f9240a089411ffdbe.pdf – Read the Press Release.