On January 31, the Missouri House of Representatives recognized the service of AmeriCorps programs including American YouthWorks’ (AYW) Environmental Corps (E-Corps) for serving an indispensable role in the recovery efforts following the devastating tornado that struck Joplin on May 22, 2011.
AYW’s E-Corps was one of 20 AmeriCorps programs from across the country that deployed more than 300 AmeriCorps members to Joplin since the tornado. Members took on key leadership positions within the AmeriCorps operation and efficiently organized thousands of volunteers, removed debris, put tarps on roofs of habitable homes and tapped into their conservation training to fell thousands of hazard trees.
A resolution, sponsored by Representatives Bill White (R-Joplin) and Charlie Davis (R-Duquesne), applauded the AmeriCorps program and their efforts in Joplin and Duquesne following the devastating EF-5 tornado.
According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Joplin tornado was the nation’s deadliest in more than sixty years, killing 161 residents and destroying more than 7,000 homes, churches, schools and businesses. Within eight hours, AmeriCorps members arrived in Joplin and over the past seven months, have performed vital services including managing a large-scale volunteer operation that has recruited, facilitated, and supervised more than 60,600 volunteers since the tornado. These volunteers provided more than 579,000 hours of service, totaling more than $17.7 million of donated resources as estimated by the City of Joplin. Together, AmeriCorps members and volunteers have provided disaster assistance to more than 2,000 households and continue to provide services to the people of Joplin, seven months later.
To see photos from the ceremony, visit our facebook page.