Washington, D.C. – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today congratulated El Centro for the Study of Primary & Secondary Education, a Tucson non-profit group, for its new $125,000 Learn and Serve America Summer of Service Grant. The money, which comes from the Corporation for National and Community Service, will be used to support several summer-long supervised projects that engage students in meaningful service to the community.

Participants have the opportunity to earn a $500 education award. The grant competition was made possible by last year’s passage of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which Rep. Grijalva supported.

“Summer is a time for students to enjoy community life, and this grant is an excellent way to make service a part of that enjoyment,” said Rep. Grijalva. “Education doesn’t end when the last bell rings. This sort of program is important for students, teachers and parents alike because when you learn the value of service, everyone benefits.”

El Centro has said the summer program will target disadvantaged, predominantly Hispanic youth at Guerrero School and Wakefield Middle School in Tucson and San Manuel Junior/Senior High School in San Manuel. 250 students from the three schools in grades 6-9 will participate in an environmentally focused service-learning program.

For more information about the award, contact Gloria Valenzuela of El Centro at (520) 388-7394.