The Dowling Community Improvement Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. for support of the AmeriCorps summer program.

Each year, more than 20 young people aged 17 and older participate in MEO's AmeriCorps program and receive training in everything from disaster preparedness to basic navigation.

Dowling's grant will support participants focusing on environmental concerns in the Makena area. Their work will include planting, invasive species eradication and resource management.

The foundation is funded by developer Everett Dowling's company, which has several luxury projects in Wailea and Makena.