The nonprofit, nonpartisan Service Year Alliance released the following statement today in response to AmeriCorps NCCC Member Demobilization and Federal Staff Reductions:
WASHINGTON, DC (April 17, 2025) - Dismantling AmeriCorps, the federal agency responsible for national service and volunteerism, puts Americans out of work, hurts Americans in need of the critical assistance that service years provide, and fractures the already fragile lines of connection that bridge our divides.
More than 200,000 Americans serve through AmeriCorps State and National programs, AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, and AmeriCorps Seniors each year. The decisions to demobilize AmeriCorps NCCC, including FEMA Corps, and to put nearly all staff at AmeriCorps agency headquarters on paid administrative leave unfairly, punishes corps members for their desire to help their neighbors and serve our country. Nine-in-ten corps members join AmeriCorps to help solve a community need or challenge. More than six-in-ten say they join to fulfill their duty as citizens of our country.
This action comes while AmeriCorps members are on the front lines of some of the most pressing challenges facing our country. At this moment, AmeriCorps members are actively serving communities nationwide, delivering relief to towns and cities impacted by natural disasters, working in food pantries and shelters for survivors of domestic abuse, helping students succeed in the classroom, providing essential care to our veterans and military families, and more.
National service, which is largely administered through AmeriCorps, is a strategic investment in America’s future. Year after year, AmeriCorps is one of the best investments our country makes in terms of dollar-for-dollar value generated and taxpayer savings. For every federal dollar invested, service years return as much as a $34 return-on-investment.
In addition, we know that AmeriCorps Alums leave their service as engaged citizens who, compared with their peers, are more likely to vote, more likely to get involved in their community, and feel more confident about working with others to solve challenges.
Service Year Alliance remains committed to working with federal leaders and our partners to strengthen the culture of service in our country. For generations, national service has been championed by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, with bipartisan recognition of its ability to address workforce gaps, meet critical community needs, and strengthen our civic bonds. We call on Congress and the White House to support AmeriCorps and let corps members do what they do best - “get things done for America to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier.”
Take Action Now: Stories from AmeriCorps Alums and champions of service are critical at this moment. Contact your Members of Congress using the outreach tool provided by Voices for National Service, and contribute your service year story to help us showcase why we need AmeriCorps.
About Service Year Alliance
Service Year Alliance is working to make a year of paid, full-time service — a service year — a common expectation and opportunity for all young Americans. We envision a future in which national service is an integral part of growing up in America, with one million young people serving their communities each year. To make this vision a reality, we partner with states, agencies, and local organizations to expand the number of service year opportunities through new models and funding sources. To enhance the corps member and alumni experience, we develop partnerships to build and scale key national service innovations to demonstrate how service transforms lives. At the core of our work is a commitment to raising up the voices and experiences of young people, corps members, and alumni.
Learn more at serviceyearalliance.org or follow us at @serviceyear.
