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WASHINGTON, DC - "Service Year Alliance applauds Rep. John Larson and Rep. John Lewis for their leadership making a year of service a common expectation and opportunity. The ACTION for National Service Act marks an important contribution to this goal", says Shirley Sagawa, CEO of the Service Year Alliance.

Pictured from left to right: General (Ret) Stanley A. McChrystal (Service Year Alliance Board Chairman), Rob Gordon (President of Be the Change, Inc.), Shirley Sagawa (CEO Service Year Alliance), Congressman John Lewis, Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Congressman Joe Kennedy III, AnnMaura Connolly (President of Voices for National Service) and Congressman John B. Larson

“The proposed budget cuts are taking us back to the stone age as a nation. They’re short-sighted and fail to address modern challenges or invest in the next generation of American leaders. In the name of all national service organizations we deeply condemn the proposed elimination of the Corporation for National and Community Service — including AmeriCorps — and the deep cuts to the Peace Corps. This budget is the latest in a series of reckless steps aiming to eliminate national service as we know it”, says Shirley Sagawa, CEO of the Service Year Alliance.

Watch and share as Gen. (Ret.) Stan McChrystal make the case for expanding, not eliminating, national service.  

On May 4, Congress passed the 2017 spending bill which protects funding for national service programs including AmeriCorps, the Peace Corps, and YouthBuild. Service Year Alliance released the following statement in response to Congress' budget deal for FY17:

"We were relieved to see Congress reach a budget deal that includes level funding for AmeriCorps, the Peace Corps, and YouthBuild in the FY17 budget. While this deal is far from perfect and cuts critical programs from the Corporation for National and Community Service, we are reassured that the tens of thousands of service year corps members will be able to continue to fighting poverty, supporting veterans, improving the environment, and revitalizing communities through these important programs. The value of service year corps members in local communities is felt in every in every corner of our country and around the world. As we set our sights on the FY18 budget debate in the coming months, we will continue to mobilize service year advocates to urge members of Congress to expand opportunities for young Americans to serve and invest in national service programs."

In the first episode of NationSwell’s 8-part mini documentary series on service years, the Chair of our Board, Gen. (Ret.) Stan McChrystal, shares his personal experience with service — both in and out of uniform.

Welcome to the first installment of the Service Year + Higher Ed Newsletter. We hope to use this space to build community, share resources, and celebrate the great work you are doing in the field.

Thank you to the 60 dedicated service year champions who joined us at the first annual Service Year Action Summit last week. Your presence and participation was greatly appreciated and — with 87 meetings on the Hill — resonated across the Washington. It’s up to all of us to make sure we build on the great momentum and energy we tapped into last week and continue to leverage it in our work across the country. 

President Trump's budget proposes the elimination of AmeriCorps - one of the most successful federal programs ever. Everyday, AmeriCorps members roll up their sleeves to alleviate poverty, improve struggling schools, and respond when distaster strikes.

Tell Congress to expand AmeriCorps, don't eliminate it.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 29, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC - In response to the White House’s FY17 budget proposal that essentially eliminates the Corporation for National and Community Service, Shirley Sagawa, the CEO of Service Year Alliance, released the following statement today denouncing the disastrous cuts: