Utah Improves Ranking Among Top 10 States Generating AmeriCorps Members

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah ranks fifth among all states for the per capita participation in AmeriCorps, according to a new data released by the federal government.  Provo also ranks fifth for participation among mid-sized cities.

For immediate release

August 16, 2016

Utah Improves Ranking Among Top 10 States Generating AmeriCorps Members

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah ranks fifth among all states for the per capita participation in AmeriCorps, according to a new data released by the federal government.  Provo also ranks fifth for participation among mid-sized cities.

Utah’s ranking rose from 8th last year, reflecting an upward trend in the number of Utah residents finding solutions to local problems through national service efforts. From increasing high school graduation rates and grade level reading proficiencies to working with homeless populations and restoring public lands, these everyday heroes are strengthening Utah communities as they transform their own lives. These people are AmeriCorps members.

The participation numbers were compiled by The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that administers AmeriCorps programs. The data was released August 16 by CNCS in the second-annual rankings of the states and cities that generate the most AmeriCorps members per capita.  

The announcement marks the beginning of a nationwide celebration leading to October 7, when the nation will reach the milestone of one million men and women who have pledge to “get things done” as AmeriCorps members. This year in Utah AmeriCorps will provide more than 1,600 individuals the opportunity to engage in intensive, results-driven service to meet education, environmental, health, economic, and other pressing needs in communities across Utah. In addition to their direct service, AmeriCorps members in Utah recruit and manage thousands of volunteers each year. This allows nonprofits of all sizes to harness more value from each volunteer.

“Since 1994, more than 15,000 Utahn’s have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to ‘get thing done’ here in Utah, serving more than 14 million hours,” Lieutenant Governor Spencer J. Cox said. “The AmeriCorps program is a great model for how government and local community organizations can partner for success.”

    

UServeUtah develops and annually updates a statewide plan for service to better meet community needs, including how to best develop and direct AmeriCorps resources.  They are seeking broad participation in a statewide service survey to shape the future of the state's goals, priorities, and strategies for utilizing service and volunteerism.  The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2016servicesurvey.

 

The rankings were determined by associating the permanent address of AmeriCorps members’ to a U.S. designated place and state, including the District of Columbia. The analysis looked exclusively at members who served in program year 2014. For this analysis, a mid-sized city was defined as any place with a population greater than or equal to 100,000 people and less than 250,000 people. States and cities in the top 10 produce the highest number of AmeriCorps members per capita. For more information on rankings please visitwww.nationalservice.gov.