AmeriCorps cuts volunteers loose, citing White House cuts
FILE-AmeriCorps volunteers from New Orleans work with Habitat for Humanity building homes for Hurricane Katrina victims in Rockefeller Plaza September 23, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Getty Images)
AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps told volunteers that they are leaving the program early after the agency had its funding cut by the Trump administration as part of a broader effort to reduce government spending.
What is the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps?
Why you should care:
AmeriCorps NCCC is a 30-year-old community service program that employs over 2,000 people ages 18 to 26 to work on projects nationwide for about 10 months of service.
The volunteers work on assignments related to education, housing, urban and rural development, land conservation, and disaster relief, driving from one project to another across the U.S.,per the agency’s website.
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According to the Associated Press, recent service projects included working at a food bank in Washington state, building homes with Habitat for Humanity in North Carolina, and assisting with after school programs in Arizona.
AmeiCorpsNCCC pays for volunteers' basic expenses, including housing, meals and a "limited health benefit," as well as a "modest" living allowance, according to the program. The organization also has a partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Forest Service.
What’s next for AmeriCorps members?
Big picture view:
AmeriCorps told its young members on Tuesday that their time in the program was over. The Associated Press noted that many of the volunteers began road trips from their assignment to campuses in Mississippi, Iowa, California, and Colorado.
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The AmeriCorps members received their allowance and health coverage through the end of April, and they were told those who have completed 15% or more of their work term are eligible for a prorated amount of their education award, the AP reported, citing a memo.
Kate Raftery, who was NCCC director from 2011 to 2014, told the AP about the volunteers that "they were looking for an opportunity to improve their life. They were looking for an opportunity to build some skills, and to be part of a community."
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Associated Press, which cites a memo from AmeriCorps about the volunteers and received comments from a former director for the agency. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.