Peters Applauds Corporation for National and Community Service Decision to Send AmeriCorps Volunteers to Aid in Flint Water Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded the announcement by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) that they will be sending an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team to Flint to help meet the needs of citizens dealing with the water crisis. The NCCC team will help distribute water filters, educate citizens about health and safety related to lead exposure, and connect residents to government service programs to support better health and nutrition.

“I am very concerned about the potential health and development risks for children and families in Flint that have been exposed to lead in their water, and we must ensure the Flint community has the necessary resources to support good health for its residents,” said Senator Peters. “This partnership between the AmeriCorps NCCC volunteer team and the United Way of Genesee County will bring much-needed assistance to help educate and empower community members and move Flint’s recovery forward. It will take time for Flint to restore residents’ trust in their water system, and I will continue working with my colleagues in the Michigan Congressional delegation to ensure the city has the support it needs to make a strong recovery.”

Peters has been in frequent contact with CNCS regarding the Flint water situation, including meeting with CNCS Chief Executive Officer Wendy Spencer last year. Additionally, he wrote a letter formally requesting assistance from CNCS to provide additional volunteers to help address the water emergency in Flint. Peters has also called for full funding for CNCS programs, including AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, VISTA, National Civilian Community Corps, the Social Innovation Fund, and the Volunteer Generation Fund.

The NCCC team will deploy to Flint for three months of service beginning February 1, 2016, and will work in conjunction with the United Way of Genesee County (UWGC). AmeriCorps NCCC teams perform public service projects in partnership with state and local governments, community service organizations and nonprofit groups, including recovery efforts for natural and other disasters.

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