Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Ernie Seneca/Sara Parsons
Date: August 24, 2004 Phone:
919/733-5612
AMER1CORPS AWARDS $258,956 FOR MINORITY HEALTH ISSUES IN 10 COUNTIES
RALEIGH - Minority populations in at least 10 North Carolina counties will benefit from a $258,956 AmeriCorps
grant recently awarded to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health and Health
Disparities.
The N.C. Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, a federal- and state-funded agency housed in Gov.
Mike Easley’s Office, awarded the grant. Funds will be used to place 21 full-time AmeriCorps members in 16
health-directed organizations serving New Hanover, Northampton, Durham, Wake, Orange, Brunswick, Buncombe,
Robeson, Mecklenburg and Forsyth counties.
“Each of these organizations focuses on different discrepancies and disparities in minority health status,” Easley said.
“With the assistance of AmeriCorps members, the groups will have more resources to address key health issues such
as tobacco use among youth, diabetes and HIV/AIDS.”
Participating organizations include the General Baptist Convention, Old North State Medical Society, El Pueblo,
Commission on Indian Affairs, Piedmont Health Services, Urban League in Winston-Salem, Eagle Market Street
Development Corp., Healing with CAARE Inc., N.C. Central University’s Department of Health Education, Access
III of Lower Cape Fear, Community Care Plan of Eastern North Carolina, Durham Community Health Network,
Center for Health and Healing, Repairing Broken Places, and Brunswick, Mecklenburg and Robeson county health
departments
AmeriCorps members serving with these organizations will assist in community outreach and education, development
of programs and publications, research and surveys, conferences, counseling and other projects.
Each full-time AmeriCorps member will provide 1,700 hours of service during the 2004-2005 program year; each
part-time member will serve 900 hours. In exchange for their service, members will receive monthly stipends and
educational awards to repay student loans, or pay for college, graduate school or vocational training.
Since the inception of AmeriCorps in the early 1990s, more than 250,000 Americans have served in programs that
address educational, public safety, environmental, homeland security and other human service needs. The Office of
Minority Health and Health Disparities is one of 15 recipients of AmeriCorps grants awarded by the Commission on
Volunteerism and Community Service for 2004-2005.
(Media Note: For more information about the AmeriCorps program at the Office of Minority Health and Health
Disparities, contact Curtis .Jackson at (919) 431-1699.)
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
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