Some local non-profits are getting the help they need to support low-income residents. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation or LISC is placing eight AmeriCorps members to various organizations like Novadebt, the Peoria Housing Authority, and Common Place to boost jobs, financial education, and economic opportunities for residents living on the city’s south side and East Bluff.
Brandon Holmes is the Executive Director of the Greater Peoria LISC Office. He says this is the first year LISC is providing AmeriCorps volunteers to Peoria area organizations.
“It’s an opportunity to partner with many of our community partners to help them get projects (done) that may have not gotten done before without AmeriCorps members. It’s also a way to develop the next generation in people that are looking to make a career change in the community development field. Throughout the U.S., LISC has about 30% of our AmeriCorps members after they finish their term of service, they actually enter into jobs in the non-profit world.”
Holmes says some of the work the AmeriCorps volunteers will help organizations with include addressing vacant property problems, implementing community safety programs and helping people find jobs. He says eight AmeriCorps members are being placed in Peoria. All of the volunteers are from Peoria and will receive a stipend from LISC.