The Kentucky AmeriCorps Accelerator conference will be held at the Owensboro Convention Center on November 14-15. The conference provides training and service opportunities for new and returning AmeriCorps members.
“We’re excited that Serve Kentucky has selected Owensboro for its 2023 state conference,” said Teresa Jones, Visit Owensboro. “This is the first time it’s been held in Owensboro since 2016. We’re expecting hundreds of members to attend in Owensboro from all over the commonwealth.”
This year’s conference is the kickoff to the 30th Anniversary of AmeriCorps. Since 1994, more than 15,000 Kentuckians have served approximately 23 million hours.
“Owensboro is a beautiful location, steeped in history with a strong local culture of service. We are thrilled to host this conference with keynote speakers, breakout sessions, service projects, and a service commitment ceremony with local leaders. This is also an opportunity for AmeriCorps members and staff to experience parts of Kentucky they may not otherwise visit,” said Joe Bringardner, Serve Kentucky Executive Director.
AmeriCorps grants are awarded to faith-based and nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, local government entities, and state agencies. AmeriCorps members serve to meet an identified community need by providing direct services in one of the focus areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families.
The Senior Connections AmeriCorps program is based in Owensboro and has been sponsored by the Green River Area Development District (GRADD) since 1997. AmeriCorps members provide a variety of nutritional services and social support to senior citizens throughout the seven-county GRADD region to lower food insecurity.
“AmeriCorps members make remarkable contributions to Kentucky,” said Joanna Shake, GRADD Executive Director. “For nearly three decades, they have helped elderly people remain in their homes, trained others to respond in the event of emergencies, helped at-risk students catch up academically and, perhaps most valuable of all, they offer a listening ear and a strong desire to help.”
To learn more about Serve Kentucky and its programs, visit their website at www.serve.ky.gov.
