Literacy Minnesota is Awarded AmeriCorps Funding for Nationwide Digital Navigation Cohort

Literacy Minnesota is excited to announce that it received a grant of $700,000 from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, to expand digital literacy programming. Funding will support 28 AmeriCorps members serving as Digital Navigators to address critical literacy gaps across Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas. 

AmeriCorps State and National, a federal-state partnership with a central role for governor-appointed State Service Commissions, develops and implements state-specific national service programs. These grants allow organizations to recruit, train and supervise AmeriCorps members who are providing services to support education, disaster services, health, environmental stewardship, economic opportunity and service to veterans and military families.  

“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to combine our longtime knowledge in AmeriCorps programming and Digital Literacy to launch this new initiative. This funding will make it possible for our National Service program to directly engage with learners seeking to grow their computer literacy skills, navigate online resources with confidence and secure employment opportunities that were once out of reach," says Literacy Minnesota National Service Program Director, Jesse Chang.

With this new funding, Literacy Minnesota will leverage the skills and experience of The Digital Navigation Corps within community-based organizations, working directly with community members to: 

• Meet the unique digital skills needed to achieve their employment goals. 

• Provide digital job readiness skills and create pathways of economic opportunities for adults 16 years and older from low-income and historically under-invested communities. 

• Strengthen partnerships and help Literacy Minnesota understand the scope of the literacy needs across the country.  

Applications for the Digital Literacy Navigation cohort will open soon.

AmeriCorps State and National engages more than 65,000 Americans in intensive service each year. Full-time AmeriCorps members in the AmeriCorps State and National program receive a modest living allowance, health care and childcare. At the successful completion of each service term, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs. 

Read the funding press release from AmeriCorps and learn more about the national work to be accomplished from other awarded organizations.