(May 29, 2025) The City of Davenport is proud to announce that some local AmeriCorps staff and members can complete their service commitments this summer, thanks to generous contributions from community organizations.
Within days of learning that the loss of a federal grant led to the program’s termination, the Regional Development Authority (RDA) led a community effort to locate funds to complete current contracts with AmeriCorps members. Contributions from RDA, Quad City Bank and Trust, Quad Cities Community Foundation, Hubbell-Waterman Foundation, and IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union will support payment of living stipends for members’ service through the end of August.
“Helping the members complete their contracts felt like the right thing to do,” said Matt Mendenhall, CEO for the Regional Development Authority. “All of the funders we talked to wanted to protect this opportunity for young people.”
With this new funding, five year-round members and three seasonal members will complete their service at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley, Common Chord, Davenport Parks and Recreation, and Putnam Museum and Science Center.
“This new opportunity to continue working with Big Brothers Big Sisters means everything to me,” said Dyashia Colvin, service member. “I’m thankful for a second chance.”
This donation will also support one part-time and two full-time positions at Nahant Marsh Educational Center. Across all partner organizations, members will serve as part of the Iowa National Service Corps, rather than AmeriCorps.
“We are overwhelmed and so incredibly thankful to those organizations who stepped up so quickly to provide funding,” said Brian Ritter, Nahant Marsh Executive Director. “Their generosity will allow us to continue to offer fun and affordable educational programs for the community.”
The City of Davenport is also retaining both program staff members to support members and prepare for the next steps, as more information becomes available about the future of the program.
“The City of Davenport is grateful the community recognized the invaluable contributions of these dedicated service members,” said Doug Maxeiner, Davenport City Administrator. “We feel confident this investment will make a difference in the lives of young people served by our community partners.”