AmeriCorps program in Danville receives federal public health funding

The AmeriCorps program at Danville’s Institute for Advanced Learning and Research has received almost $219,000 in federal funding for public health.

The award is a portion of about $2 million in funding announced by Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both D-Virginia, on July 9.

REACH AmeriCorps is a local chapter of the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, operated through IALR and focused on public health. REACH stands for Regional Engagement to Advance Community Health.

With the federal funding, which came from AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Danville program will recruit 15 part-time employees to conduct community health workshops across the Dan River region.

These workshops will be hosted in targeted census tracts, focusing on specific health topics and especially addressing areas of high need and chronic health issues, according to a news release from IALR.

“Our REACH AmeriCorps members will positively impact the health outcomes of individuals, families and the entire Dan River Region,” Dana Silicki, IALR’s program manager for advanced learning, said in the release.

The grant will allow the program to continue “building pathways for public health-related careers” and “addressing community health and education needs,” she said.

Recruitment is underway for these positions, which will require about 25 hours of work per week and include an $11,500 stipend. The position also includes a Segal Education Award of almost $3,500, which can be used to repay student loans or for current or future education, the release says.

“This Public Health AmeriCorps program is ideal for students seeking a gap year, those entering the health field, career switchers and retirees,” it says.

Those interested can apply online or send a resume via email, according to the release.

REACH AmeriCorps is one of two AmeriCorps programs operated by IALR; the other, Dan River Year AmeriCorps, is focused on education.

Several other AmeriCorps programs in Virginia received funding from the same federal grant. The other recipients are programs in Alexandra, Falls Church, Nelson County and Richmond.

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