Marietta, GA — Today, Representative Lucy McBath announced that AmeriCorps has given 9 of their VISTA awards to organizations in Georgia in the past quarter, investing $1,180,375 in funding to help communities in need, including funding to improve maternal care in Georgia.

“Investments in quality care for Georgians is one of my top priorities,” said Rep. McBath, “and this AmeriCorps VISTA funding will help communities across the state. The United States has the worst rate of maternal death in the developed world, and Georgia has the second worst rate of maternal death in the country. This funding will help members in our local communities, improve the health of our neighbors, and safeguard the futures of countless families.”

These investments will improve quality and access to health care and resources for women and families across the state of Georgia, including through Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia and the Center for Black Women’s Wellness.

Since 1965, over 220,000 AmeriCorps members in the VISTA program have joined the fight against poverty by helping local organizations expand their capacity to make change. The VISTA program serves in each of the 50 U.S. states and in all U.S. territories. This opportunity prepares members for a life of service in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. Through capacity building activities such as fundraising, grant writing, research, and volunteer recruitment AmeriCorps members in the VISTA program serve in an office setting and gain experience and leadership skills.