CNCS Programs Again Targeted for Elimination
This past September 15, NYLC joined the Save Service campaign in calling for constituents to contact their elected officials about the value of the Corporation for National and Community Service and the impact of CNCS programs in local communities. Many took action, adding to over 18,000 calls made as part of the Save Service campaign this year, with over 180 visits to D.C. offices and 3,000 phone calls around the September “Make the Call Day.”
***Update on October 11***
Act now, as nonprofit organizations sign on to a letter that members of the Save Service campaign are spearheading. Save Service is sending a letter from nonprofit leaders to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging them to support the Senate's mark of $1.093 billion for CNCS. Add your organization to the growing list of signers, invite your local sites/affiliates to sign and share with other partner organizations whose work is strengthened by CNCS programs. The deadline to sign this letter is Fri., Oct. 14 at 7:00 P.M. CST. http://www.saveservice.org/page/signup/sign-a-letter-to-save-service
Earlier this fall, NYLC CEO Kelita Bak brought this same message to in-person meetings with the D.C. Congressional offices of Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken along with Representatives Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum. NYLC also organized participants to meet at the local district offices of Representative Erik Paulsen, Senator Klobuchar, and Senator Franken.
These phone calls, letters to newspapers, in-person meetings in D.C., and visits to local offices were heard. The Senate Appropriations Committee reported a bill for the 2012 Fiscal Year (Oct. 1, 2011, to Sept. 30, 2012) that funds CNCS at $1.093 billion, an increase of $17 million over FY 2011. Overall, the bill eliminates 15 other programs and funds Labor, Health, Human Services, and Education at $308 million less than last year. That CNCS was provided even a slight increase in this wider context speaks to the impact that such constituent contact has on the legislative process.
Just a few days later, however, the House Appropriations Committee released its draft bill funding FY 2012. The House bill calls for the elimination of AmeriCorps, VISTA, the Social Innovation Fund, and the Volunteer Generation Fund. The House bill only funds only $280 million for Senior Volunteer Programs, a far cry from the promise Congress made in 2009 to engage Americans of all ages in national and community service.
“This common-sense plan is built on the simple idea that the economy isn’t just a bunch of numbers. This bill is about investing in people and creating the jobs they need by funding things like education to empower innovation and restore American ingenuity, and freeing employers from stifling government regulatory burdens that replace productivity with paperwork. By spending tax dollars strategically, we can balance critical funding for programs that actually help people and families with the real need to rein in government over-spending," said Labor, Health, and Human Services Subcommittee Chair Rep. Denny Rehberg.
“Unfortunately, the proposal contains a number of harmful and ill-advised cuts. One of the most egregious items is the almost complete elimination of the Corporation for National and Community Service – the agency that administers successful programs such as AmeriCorps and the Social Innovation Fund. The Chairman’s mark simply dissolves the entire enterprise without regard for the unique role CNCS plays in our democracy. Without CNCS, there will be no AmeriCorps, Senior Corps or Learn and Serve – programs which, taken together, serve as a powerful engine for community volunteerism to tackle America’s challenges that exist right here at home,” replied Rep. Rosa DeLauro.
Neither the House nor the Senate appropriations bills include any level of funding for Learn and Serve America, the funding for which was eliminated in April 2011 under a Continuing Resolution that included a $75 million cut overall to CNCS. NYLC, the service-learning field, and the Save Service campaign continue to champion this program and are asking Congress and the President to support meaningful opportunities for students and youth themselves to be engaged directly in national service. Programs like AmeriCorps and VISTA at CNCS continue to support vital service-learning work in schools, with corps members serving as service-learning coordinators, volunteer coordinators, and otherwise engaging students. The loss of committed and skilled AmeriCorps and VISTA members would be a second blow to young people and their capacity to improve learning and their communities through service-learning.
The campaign to keep national service and volunteerism alive continues and more than ever calls for you to participate. Subscribe to NYLC’s newsflashes today for updates and Take Action with the Save Service campaign by making sure your elected officials know the impact such proposed cuts would have in their districts.
Photo: Rep. Eric Paulsen (MN-3), second from right, meets with Save Service members in August 2011, including Admission Possible, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, Senior Companions/Foster Grandparents, ServeMinnesota, Volunteers of America, Minnesota Literacy Council, and NYLC. These organizations and more would be less able to serve local communities under proposed cuts to the Corporation for National and Community Service.
