Commentary: AmeriCorps Cuts Are Hurting Communities, We All Need to Step Up

United Way of Asheville-Buncombe County was ready to help its community in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destruction across western North Carolina.

This local United Way quickly mobilized a fleet of volunteers to support organizations on the ground. But it immediately became clear that more help was needed. So, United Way of Asheville-Buncombe County contacted AmeriCorps.

AmeriCorps answered the call, assigning National Civilian Community Corps members to join United Way’s efforts providing aid to residents after the storm. And, immediately, the community felt the impact of the combined services of United Way and AmeriCorps.

The United Way and AmeriCorps team collected and distributed 25,812 pounds of food; 18,162 pounds of essential supplies; and 2,600 pounds of clothing. They also helped local nonprofits by coordinating 1,363 volunteers. Ultimately, the efforts supported more than 28 organizations and aided more than 10,000 people affected by the storm.

AmeriCorps is critical not only to disaster recovery efforts like these in North Carolina, but also to the resiliency of communities in states all across America.

As the president and CEO of the United Way Worldwide network — which is made up of more than 1,100 local United Ways across 36 countries and territories — I have seen firsthand how AmeriCorps strengthens our nation. I see it in the example of Buncombe County and in countless other communities.

That is why it is deeply disheartening that in recent weeks, nearly $400 million in federal AmeriCorps grants have been terminated, which will impact more than 1,000 local and community organizations and prematurely end the service of more than 32,000 AmeriCorps members and volunteers.

AmeriCorps members are invaluable to the communities they serve. Their service should be supported and uplifted, not discarded.

Dozens of local United Ways partner directly with AmeriCorps to stand up impactful programs across the country. Dan Leroy, president and CEO of United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, recently shared with me, “AmeriCorps members not only helped us with tangible relief efforts, but they also provided vital relief to disaster-weary local leaders through their energy, enthusiasm and hard work.”

Helping communities in need is not easy, especially when it comes to disaster recovery. The work does not end after six weeks, or six months, or sometimes six years. That is why partnerships between United Way and federal programs like AmeriCorps are so vital.

United Way volunteers and staff and AmeriCorps members live in the communities where they serve. They are there long before and long after disaster strikes, delivering both urgent, short-term care and building thriving communities for the long term, rooted in strong systems and services.

I was deeply dismayed to learn that on April 15, with three weeks left in their service commitment, the AmeriCorps team deployed in Buncombe County discovered that the federal government cut their program. Without warning, they were ordered to stop their work and return home immediately, leaving thousands of North Carolina families without a critical resource as they continue to navigate the after-effects of one of the deadliest storms in state history.

The repercussions of cutting AmeriCorps funding also are being felt in places like Dane County, Wisconsin. United Way of Dane County partners with AmeriCorps to run two education programs: Schools of Hope and Achievement Connections.

Both initiatives place tutors in schools across the community. Schools of Hope works to increase early literacy for elementary school students and Achievement Connections provides support in math for high school students.

The AmeriCorps tutors serving with these United Way programs are more than academic helpers — they are trusted mentors. They are a bridge to help students develop their math and reading skills, find confidence in the classroom, and graduate with the assurance that they are set up for success after the final school bell rings.

Last year, 60% of the students enrolled in Schools of Hope demonstrated significant improvements in reading and comprehension and 77% of the students participating in Achievement Connections improved or maintained their GPA in algebra.

But, earlier this month, $650,000 in AmeriCorps-related federal grant funding was terminated at United Way of Dane County. This unfortunate action will remove tutors from Wisconsin schools and jeopardize positive educational outcomes for students.

As uncertainty in the reliability of public services continues to grow, the public, nonprofit, and private sectors, all need to step up — united in purpose — to help fill the gap for families and individuals who rely on the work of AmeriCorps.

There has, perhaps, never been a more important time to strengthen public-private partnerships that support on the ground work in communities.

It is our duty — across sectors — to ensure the spirit of civic engagement, and community, does not fade.

Americans understand the importance of community, and communities are only whole if everyone works to lift up our neighbors.

Let’s all get to work.