Sign On Letter: Congress should include AmeriCorps and Senior Corps in COVID-19 relief package

Congressional leaders are still negotiating a coronavirus relief and economic stimulus package, and Voices for National Service is spearheading a sign-on letter urging them to include funding and provisions to expand and strengthen AmeriCorps and Senior Corps.

If your organization is interested in joining this sign on letter please fill out the form below.

Earlier this year, Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced the Cultivating Opportunity and Response to the Pandemic through National Service (CORPS) Act to strengthen and expand national service over a three-year period with the goal of including the funding and provisions from that legislation in the COVID-19 relief package.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members across the country have acted quickly and creatively to address gaps in services and persistent inequities that have only been exacerbated by the virus. Although national service is making a tremendous difference, we need more boots on the ground and resources to address the needs in our communities.

We encourage organizations to sign-onto this letter at the highest level — CEO, Executive Director or another organizational leader. The deadline to sign on is Thursday, September 24th at 5pm ET.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@voicesforservice.org or 202-742-7374.

Please take the time to fill out the form below in its entirety.

Information about the individual whose name will be displayed on the letter

Disclaimer on Political Activity — As we speak for national service and volunteering, we must be mindful of how critically important it is to keep all political and advocacy activities completely separate from federal grant activities. Furthermore, service has always had bipartisan support. That’s why we must be vigilant in maintaining our focus on educating and informing our representatives about our work and impact in a non-partisan and respectful manner, at all times. If your organization receives federal funds, you are allowed to participate in Voices for National Service meetings, call days, events, activities, and sign-on letters. But it is absolutely critical that organizations who receive federal funds keep any political and advocacy activities completely disassociated with their federal grant activities. Please do not make calls or sign letters while on grant-time or using technology funded by your organization’s federal grant. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) rules are clear on this issue, as are the general rules that apply to all grantees of the federal government. We must be scrupulous in conforming with these rules, and we hope you will review these resources from CNCS that explains the restrictions on legislative lobbying and partisan politics.