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Citizen Corps
In 2003,
the Volunteer & Community Resource Center (now known as Martin Volunteers) led the way in obtaining a Citizen Corps grant for Martin County and
assembled key leaders in local government, health and safety to create a Citizen Corps Council.
ABOUT CITIZEN CORPS
After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, people across the
nation asked “What can I do?” and “How
can I help?” Citizen Corps was created to help all Americans answer these
questions through public education, training and volunteer service.
Although part of a national movement, Citizen Corps is tailored by local
officials to fit their community’s needs.
Martin County has several programs that engage volunteers in public safety and
emergency services. These programs include Neighborhood Watch, Citizens on
Patrol and CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). They aren’t new, but the
Citizen Corps umbrella is.
FUNDING AND GOALS
In June 2003, VCRC received a grant of $17,802 to establish a Citizen Corps
Council in Martin County. VCRC pursued a second grant, with help from the Martin
Soil & Water Conservation District, and Martin County received another $35,000 in Citizen Corps
funding for 2004-05.
This grant was available from the Florida Division of Emergency Management
as pass-through funding received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s
Office for Domestic Preparedness.
The Martin County Citizen Corps Council identified these goals:
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Establishing a Medical Reserve Corps in Martin County.
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Bringing better structure to VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters).
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Increase community awareness about Citizen Corps activities, training and
volunteer opportunities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact:
Carol Hodnett, director
E-mail:
chodnett@martinvolunteers.org
Phone: (772) 220-4472, ext. 221
The Citizen Corps national Web site is
www.citizencorps.gov.
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