“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.

When a state of emergency was declared due to lead in the main water supply of Flint, Mich., service year corps members were already on the ground. Now, they’re key to the community’s long-term recovery effort.

Last week gap year providers, advisors, and higher education leaders gathered in Denver for the annual International Gap Year conference. The conference was hosted by the American Gap Association (AGA), Service Year Alliance’s gap year partner.

The conference explored barriers to students completing a gap year including funding, parental support, lack of awareness, and concern that these experiences might lengthen time to graduation or dissuade students from attending college at all.

Service Year Alliance partnered with ATTN to produce this video that raises awareness about a service year. 

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.

Over 60 service year alums and champions gathered at Recessions Bar and Grill in downtown Washington, D.C. for a Service Year Story Slam, organized by Service Year Alliance’s D.C. chapter. Storytellers included military veterans and AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alums and highlighted the impact service years have on individuals, communities and the country.

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.