Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce $260,000 in AmeriCorps Funding to Support Seniors in Frederick

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $260,000 in federal funding to the Asian American Center of Frederick. Funding comes from FY21 AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program and will provide social support for low-income individuals 55 and older.

“For more than 25 years, AmeriCorps volunteers have been doing crucial work in Maryland – including providing top-notch assistance and care in our communities. This new funding will support the Asian American Center of Frederick’s mission to meet the critical needs of local seniors by providing assistance with transportation, medical, food services, and more. I will continue working to secure resources to help improve the quality of life for residents across our state,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“AmeriCorps and their volunteers play a vital role in delivering quality and supportive care, meeting the basic needs of seniors in Maryland and across the nation,” said Senator Cardin. “With this new round of federal funding, 40 AmeriCorps volunteers will provide respite, transportation, medical and nutrition services to individuals with the Asian American Center of Frederick. I commend their dedicated efforts and will continue working to secure additional funding to ensure Maryland’s seniors have the resources to live fully and independently.”

“There isn’t a more important time for us to support our seniors and those who are most vulnerable, especially as we start to feel the extent to which the pandemic will continue to impact our communities,” said Rep. Trone. “This important funding will go to the efforts of AmeriCorps and the Asian American Center of Frederick as they work to support seniors in the Frederick community. I’ll continue to make sure our federal, state, and local partnerships are strong so we get federal funds to the organizations in our communities who need it.”

Every year, 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve more than 21,000 schools, nonprofits, and community and faith-based organizations across the country. Since the program’s start in 1994, more than 1.1 million AmeriCorps members have served the nation, providing more than 1.6 billion hours of service and earning nearly $4 billion in education awards to pay for college or pay back student loans.

Lawmakers previously announced more than $17 million in federal AmeriCorps funding for organizations across Maryland.