AmeriCorps Awards National Long-Term Disaster Recovery Organization, SBP, Additional 140 Positions for Texas' Hurricane Harvey Recovery

HOUSTON, Oct. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the Federal agency which oversees the national service program, AmeriCorps, announced today the grant award of an additional 140 members to SBP, the nation's leading long-term disaster recovery non-profit organization.

SBP, which relies on AmeriCorps members and volunteer labor to rebuild homes for low-moderate income homeowners after disaster events for 40% the cost of market rate contractors, will play a major role in long-term recovery efforts in Texas as the state rebuilds from Hurricane Harvey.

The grant from CNCS effectively doubles the number of AmeriCorps members under SBP's direction nationally and will enable SBP to deploy its proven effective disaster recovery and rebuilding model which is based on the Toyota Production System (TPS) across devastated parts of Texas, thereby shrinking time between disaster and recovery.

SBP has committed to long-term recovery efforts, recently opening an office in Houston. Part of SBP's initial response, has focused on sharing free, vital resources with homeowners to help them make smart, informed decisions that will help them avoid common pitfalls and speed their recovery. (sbpusa.org/start-here)

Moving forward, AmeriCorps members operating under SBP will serve homeowners impacted by Hurricane Harvey, by providing case management services and serving as construction leads, guiding volunteers in rebuilding efforts, and training other organizations in the utilization of SBP's proven effective model. As such, SBP anticipates that 70 AmeriCorps members will serve directly under SBP, and 70 will be embedded within partner organizations across Texas.

To learn more about SBP's AmeriCorps program and to apply, visit: 
sbpusa.org/get-involved/americorps 

Statement from Chester Spellman, Director of AmeriCorps at Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS):
"For decades, AmeriCorps members have stood arm in arm with communities impacted by disaster. We hold this same commitment to helping communities impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria recover. AmeriCorps is proud to provide this new grant to SBP to support this work, which will enable many more young people to answer the call to serve. AmeriCorps will continue to support these communities over the long haul and together, we will rebuild."

Statement from Zack Rosenburg, SBP Co-Founder and CEO:
"SBP's mission is to shrink time between disaster and recovery, and there is no effective disaster recovery without AmeriCorps. Through this grant, SBP will not only be able to rebuild efficiently, but these additional AmeriCorps members will also share SBP's rebuilding model and best practices with other local and national organizations involved in recovery, thereby increasing the capacity, efficiency and ability to efficiently serve more homeowners in need.

AmeriCorps facilitates and emblemizes Americans' unbreakable ties to each other, despite distance and perceived differences. The opportunity for Americans to join AmeriCorps thanks to this grant, will enable those who wish to serve their fellow citizens in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, a meaningful, impactful way to do so."

To learn more, visit www.SBPUSA.org and like/follow on Facebook & Twitter @SBPUSA

For more information on the grant to SBP visit: sbpusa.org/blog/americorps-texas-blog

For more information on AmeriCorps, visit NationalService.gov

SOURCE SBP