GSD Receives Additional AmeriCorps Grant Award

The Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service has awarded the GSD an additional year of $372,400 in funding to continue the Grenada Learning Quilt AmeriCorps program.  The new funding level will enable the District to continue to implement K-8 tutoring initiatives and community service participation with 28 AmeriCorps members 

Jonathan Haimes, a past AmeriCorps member and 2010 Grenada Star “Good Neighbor,” will be the new program director. Pamela Hubbard, the original director who set the foundation of the program, will continue on a part time basis. She states, “During his service as an AmeriCorps member, Mr. Haimes demonstrated a “heart for service” and a variety of leadership qualities. I am confident that he will direct the program effectively and will be an inspiration to the members.” 

Grenada’s three-year AmeriCorps’ tutoring initiative has targeted students with remedial needs in math and reading, enabling our students to make impressive academic advances. Providing one-on-one tutoring services to these at-risk students has enabled pupils to dramatically improve their academic abilities.  

During 2010-11 AmeriCorps tutoring program served over 830 at-risk students in grades K-8 with the three-year sum of students served totaling over 2,105 pupils! Almost all of the tutored students showed at least a 15% improvement in scores, with almost half of the students improving over 50%! Now that is a successful program! The GSD AmeriCorps Program has made a remarkable difference in the academic achievement of our students. (Improvement scores are determined by pre and post test scores.) 

In addition to the benefits for our students, over the past three years AmeriCorps has provided a living allowance for 75 people, brought to Mississippi over $300,000 in education awards for members, and provided community service for our town. Community service projects have included the presentation of Reading Fairs at the Elizabeth Jones Library and participation at the Food Pantry and community events.  

The AmeriCorps initiative has served our students and community, trained members to be future active citizens, and made a positive impact upon our county. Our students’ improvement will have long-range implications for Grenada by impacting the literacy rate, graduation rate, and, therefore, the economic progress of our populace.