FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONGRESSMAN VISCLOSKY ANNOUNCES AMERICORPS GRANT FOR LAKE COUNTY LIBRARIES WASHINGTON, DC - June 23, 1999 -Today, Congressman Pete Visclosky (D-IN) announced that a cooperative effort of the Lake County Public Library, the Hammond Public Library, the Hammond Career Center, the Indiana University Northwest Library and the Lowell Public Library will receive a $136,703 grant from AmeriCorps. The grant will be used to pay for 25 AmeriCorps members provide tutoring in basic literacy skills, English as a second language, computer literacy and Internet use. This will be the third year the program has received a grant."This is a tremendous example of how volunteerism and federal support can combine to achieve tremendous results," said Visclosky. "These AmeriCorps members are working with hundreds of Lake County residents to improve their language and computer skills. Their investment of time and energy and a small amount of funding from the federal government will pay off tremendous benefits for these residents. Their new-found abilities will help them find better jobs and improve their lives and livelihoods." AmeriCorps is the national service program through which 40,000 people each year tackle community problems in the areas of education, public safety, human needs and the environment. Funds from the program are used to pay a modest living allowance to AmeriCorps members. Members spend 10 months to one year on assignment. Once they have completed their assignment, members are eligible for an Education Award that can be used to help pay off student loans.
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