Congressman Kildee Announces $754,000 Federal Grant for Saginaw Mentorship Program

Press Release

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today announced a $754,000 federal grant to the Saginaw County Commission on Aging to support 58 AmeriCorps Foster Grandparent volunteers to serve as mentors, provide tutoring in literacy and math and support students with special needs.

The funds were awarded to the Saginaw County Commission on Aging through the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program (FGP). For more than 50 years, FGP has provided grants to organizations to engage low-income Americans ages 55 and older in providing one-on-one mentoring and academic support to children with special or exceptional needs. The FGP engages older adults as tutors, mentors and role models to children at-risk of falling behind in school and to those with physical disabilities or other special needs.

"I'm proud to announce this AmeriCorps grant for the Saginaw County Commission on Aging to help pair youth with mentors to help them succeed," Congressman Kildee said. "I'm grateful to all the volunteers serving as mentors and tutors in our community. When students have early access to guidance and mentorship, our whole community benefits. Especially during a pandemic, when many students have struggled with learning loss, it is important that young people have the support of mentors and tutors who will help them succeed."

Congressman Kildee has worked in Congress to support local community organizations, including mentorship programs. In 2017, Congressman Kildee announced a $449,512 federal grant to support 25 AmeriCorps VISTA members serving in the Flint Community School Corps in before and after-school programs. In October 2018, Congressman Kildee announced a $300,000 AmeriCorps grant to support the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint to ensure their youth participants have the necessary resources to succeed academically and lead healthier lifestyles. In May 2019, Congressman Kildee announced a $7,700 federal award to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint to support their mentorship programs to expand opportunities for at-risk and high-risk youth.

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