By Service Year Alliance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Congress’s 2018 spending deal is a step forward for national service

Congress’s FY18 omnibus spending bill increases funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service by $34M

WASHINGTON, DC (March 22, 2018) – “Over a year ago, national service and AmeriCorps faced elimination in the President’s FY18 budget proposal. In response, tens of thousands of national service advocates refused to accept this proposal and came together to make their voices heard — sending emails, making calls, signing petitions, dressing up as dinosaurs at the Capitol, and taking action in local communities across the country,” said Shirley Sagawa, CEO of Service Year Alliance. “Late last night, all of this hard work paid off when Congress released the text of their FY18 omnibus spending bill which increases funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service by $34M, increases funding for YouthBuild by $5M, and level funds the Peace Corps. Together with the national service field, we won a hard fought battle and successfully turned elimination into expansion.”

“Never before has national service been more critical in communities across our country. The 75,000 AmeriCorps members who are serving this year are tackling the most challenging issues facing the American people — from the opioid crisis to disaster relief and workforce development to education inequality,” said Sagawa.

Sagawa: “This is an important step forward for the entire national service field and puts us in a strong position to overcome another out-of-touch elimination threat from the White House this year and fight for expansion once again in the 2019 budget in the coming months. With bipartisan champions in Congress, millions of young people ready to step up and serve, and momentum on our side, now is the time to be expanding national service. We are eager to continue fighting so that every young person in America who raises their hand to serve has the opportunity to do so.”

With questions or for more information about Service Year Alliance’s mission to expand national service, please contact Aly Ferguson at aferguson@serviceyear.org.

About Service Year Alliance

Service Year Alliance is working to make a year of paid, full-time service — a service year — a common expectation and opportunity for all young Americans. A service year before, during, or after college gives young people the chance to transform their lives, make an impact in their community, and become the active citizens and leaders our nation needs. Expanding service years has the power to revitalize cities, uplift and educate children at risk, and empower communities struggling with poverty. Learn more at ServiceYear.org.