Rep. Ami Bera Awards $225K In Support Of College Readiness Initiative

Indian American  Representative Ami Bera has announced that Improve Your Tomorrow, a Sacramento-based nonprofit, has been chosen to receive a federal award of $225,900 per year to enhance college readiness for youth in the Sacramento area.

The funding, facilitated through AmeriCorps VISTA, will sustain ten year-round service positions at the local level, a release from the congressman’s office said. Improve Your Tomorrow is dedicated to empowering and uplifting young men of color across California by providing support for them to pursue and successfully complete their college education.

“I am thrilled to share that Improve Your Tomorrow has been chosen to receive over $225,000 in federal funding, furthering their vital mission of empowering Sacramento young men of color to pursue and graduate from college,” said Rep Bera.

“This kind of unwavering support from Congress member Ami Bera and AmeriCorps California showcases a commitment to expanding service opportunities that address critical achievement gaps within our education system,” said Michael Lynch, CEO and co-founder of Improve Your Tomorrow.

“Thanks to the advocacy of youth champions like Congressman Bera, Improve Your Tomorrow will harness the transformative power of the VISTA program—a pinnacle of professional service opportunities in our state. This investment in at-promise youth will undoubtedly propel improved outcomes for the thousands of young men of color we are dedicated to serving,” he added.

In addition to the announced award, AmeriCorps will contribute over $68,950 annually in education scholarships for the AmeriCorps VISTA members who receive support from this award. These scholarships aim to assist with financing college education, vocational training, or the repayment of student loans.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for service and volunteering, unites individuals to address the nation’s most critical challenges through national service and volunteering initiatives. Annually, tens of thousands of AmeriCorps members engage in service at over 21,000 schools, nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations, as well as state, tribal, and local governments throughout the country.