A $64,000 grant from the Federal Recovery Act will enable the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s AmeriCorps Connects program to hire 18 students to serve the community during the summer.

Participants will receive $2,000 for their service to local non-profits and schools along with a $1,250 award at the end of their service to be used to be used toward college tuition.

“This program will enable nonprofits and local community agencies in the Fox Valley to provide services that had been in jeopardy during the recession,” said Pat Nichols, interim director of UW Oshkosh’s Center for Career Development and Employment Training.

The summer staff members, who are required to have completed high school, will be trained in conflict resolution, civic engagement and first aid to better serve community organizations.

The program runs from the beginning of June to the end of August and requires 12 weeks or 450 hours of service.

For more information or to apply, contact the AmeriCorps office at (920) 424-2244.