Pascrell Announces $419K in AmeriCorps Funding for NJCDC in Paterson

Federal awards will support team of 20 AmeriCorps members to assist on the ground in Paterson

PATERSON, NJ – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today announced that the New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) has received $419,418 in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency responsible for AmeriCorps and other national service programs. The funding will help place 20 AmeriCorps members on the ground to serve with the NJCDC in Paterson.

“The AmeriCorps program is one of America’s best ideas. I am thrilled that a team will be sent to Paterson to assist the NJCDC in their important work,” said Rep. Pascrell, a proud supporter of public service programs. “For more than two decades, NJCDC has worked to revitalize the Silk City through education, social programs, and restoration of historic areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly challenged NJCDC in new ways, but the arrival of AmeriCorps members will help us meet these new challenges head on.”

“NJCDC is thrilled to once again receive an AmeriCorps national service grant,” said Robert F. Guarasci, CEO of the NJCDC. “This will be our 27th annual AmeriCorps grant, which we first received in 1994 when Congressman Pascrell was Paterson’s Mayor. Congressman Pascrell supported our AmeriCorps initiative at its start in 1994, and we’ve been able to rely upon his support every year since. As a result, more than 500 individuals have served in our AmeriCorps program, providing countless hours of assistance to students in need of mentoring and tutoring.”

Even as he abides by social distancing guidelines, Rep. Pascrell has remained in constant contact with federal agencies to secure critical federal funding for New Jersey coronavirus response efforts. Last week, Pascrell announced $1.1 million in emergency housing funds for North Jersey. Earlier this month he announced $2.4 million in federal disaster funding for Bergen County, $63 million in federal funds for New Jersey’s child care services, $254,000 in emergency health funds for Paterson and St. Joseph’s Hospital, and $157,000 in coronavirus relief funding for Teterboro Airport. He also announced last month $14.6M in emergency housing and urban development grants for local governments to ensure that our underserved neighbors’ needs are met during the pandemic.

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