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.
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:
[embedlycard url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/trump-presidential-budget-2018-proposal/#dept-22"]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 16, 2017
WASHINGTON, DC - Service Year Alliance — an organization working to make a year of paid, full-time service a common expectation and opportunity for all young Americans — released the following statement today condemning the White House’s plan to cut funding for national service programs, through the elimination of the Corporation for National and Community Service — including AmeriCorps.
In response to the White House including national service programs like AmeriCorps on a short list of programs that could be eliminated in their budget proposal, Rep. Long and Rep. Price testified at the House Labor, Health and Human Services subcommittee in support of national service.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQAUFo65rag
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 9, 2017
CONTACT: Aly Ferguson, [email protected]
200 Flag and General Officers Sign Pledge to Make A Year of National Service a Common Opportunity for all Young Americans
Service Year Alliance is re-releasing the pledge, co-sponsored by eight leading military and veterans organizations, in response to potential cuts to national service.
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, in response to reports on the potential elimination of national service programs like AmeriCorps in the Administration’s budget proposal, Service Year Alliance re-released its Enlisting America Pledge. The Pledge has been signed by 200 flag and general officers and more than 50 senior enlisted veterans of the US military in support of making a year of national service a common expectation and opportunity for all young Americans.
On Friday, February 17th, the New York Times reported that the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) — including AmeriCorps — is on a “hit list” of federal programs the new administration could propose to eliminate.
Since that report, support has flooded in from across the country from major media outlets, local papers, editorial boards, and blogs.
