Service Year Alliance’s Statement on President Biden's FY22 Budget for AmeriCorps
“We are encouraged by many of the priorities outlined in President Biden’s FY22 budget proposal for AmeriCorps. By including DACA recipients in all AmeriCorps programs and requesting Congress provide them access to national service education awards, focusing resources to under resourced communities, and devoting resources to improve e-grants and working to replace the system long-term, it is clear that the President understands what it means to make national service an opportunity that is available to all young people and all communities in America. We were also pleased to see a significant increase for YouthBuild programs.
That said, we remain steadfast in our call for a much more significant investment in national service from the Biden-Harris Administration. Over 1.7 million young Americans would raise their hand to serve if given the opportunity, and the President’s FY22 funding request misses the mark with a minimal increase in funding for AmeriCorps and flat funding for Peace Corps. With President Biden’s leadership, national service has the potential to transform our nation, our young people, and our democracy. He has the chance to make national service the cornerstone of his legacy and become the Service President by meeting the moment as well as the demands of our next generation. We will continue to work with the Administration and Congress to seek greater investment in national service.”
