07.16.14

Hoeven Announces Grant to Support Education Achievement at Standing Rock Sioux Reservation

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has awarded a $260,910 grant to Sitting Bull College to provide GED tutoring and testing services for three years to the eight communities on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The grant was made through CNCS’ AmeriCorps program, which requires matching funds from the recipient organizations and supports community service programs in the areas of education, veterans and military families, economic opportunity, health, environmental stewardship and disaster services.

“Education is a key part of empowering our citizens to access better opportunities and build a better life for themselves and their children,” Hoeven said. “These funds will support Sitting Bull College’s and its volunteers’ efforts to secure these opportunities for members of Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Furthermore, our AmeriCorps members will expand opportunity for themselves, gaining skills and experience to jumpstart their careers as well as funds to help them pursue their own education.”

AmeriCorps supports more than 75,000 members annually to serve through nonprofit, faith-based and community groups at 25,000 locations across the country. These members address community problems while mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve. Since 1994, more than 830,000 Americans have provided more than one billion hours of service.

The funds announced today will provide for 15 full and part-time AmeriCorps members in Standing Rock, volunteers who will undertake the project while receiving a small stipend to support their cost-of-living as well as an education award at the end of their service. The members will receive over $75,000 in awards to support their pursuit of higher education.

As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Hoeven is working to secure funds that empower North Dakota communities to improve educational and economic opportunity for their residents. CNCS receives its annual funding through the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill.