Kilmer Meets with AmeriCorps Volunteers in Tacoma, Pushes Back against Trump Administration Draft Proposal that could Eliminate the Program
TACOMA, WA – Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) sat down with individuals yesterday who volunteer in Tacoma’s AmeriCorps programs. Kilmer listened to the experiences of AmeriCorps participants and pushed back against a proposal from the Trump administration to eliminate the program.
President Trump’s plan would slash investments in the Corporation for National and Community Service, the agency that oversees AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, a volunteer organization for people over 55. The move would impact more than 11,000 schools across the nation that rely on AmeriCorps participants to tutor students, build playground, and provide after-school programs. There are 80,000 AmeriCorps members working across the nation.
"The men and women lending a hand through AmeriCorps have made our communities stronger,” said Kilmer. “Every day they make positive changes in our neighborhoods and in the lives of students. Cleaning up our parks, taking time to help kids with math and reading, working to build or fix homes for seniors, and providing a safe space after school are just some of the many things that happen because of these participants. I’ll work to make sure that this administration doesn’t move forward with any proposals that reduce its impact.”
“At a time when our country faces many challenges, the federal investment in CNCS and its programs including AmeriCorps and Senior Corps provides a strong return for individuals and communities throughout Washington state. National service changes lives and changes communities,” said Debbie Schuffenhauer, Executive Director of Serve Washington.
Kilmer’s roundtable discussion with AmeriCorps members took place at Tacoma’s Northwest Leadership Foundation and included representatives from Washington VetCorps, College Success Foundation, Jesuit Volunteer Corps NW, Washington Reading Corps, Washington Conservation Corps, Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together South Sound, and Serve Washington.
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