Mayors Letter Supporting National Service
Mayors and county executives are increasingly turning to national service as a cost-effective strategy to tackle tough problems facing local communities – helping students graduate from high school, fighting poverty, and making neighborhoods safer. By unleashing the power of citizens, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs are having a positive and lasting impact, making our cities and counties better places to live.
The Corporation for National and Community Service is the nation’s largest grantmaker for service and volunteering, supplying city agencies and local nonprofits with the human capital they need to tackle pressing local challenges. But this vital resource for American communities is under threat.
The White House’s FY18 budget proposal recommends the elimination of the Corporation for National and Community Service, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps. If enacted, this would have devastating effects on local communities nationwide, placing additional pressure on cities and local governments to meet the needs of local residents with limited resources.
Congress has the opportunity to reject this short-sighted proposal and to protect funding for national service programs. Congressional representatives often look to local leaders in their communities to let them know which programs are making a difference back home.
To ensure Congress knows the critical impact of national service programs, Voices for National Service and Cities of Service have organized a letter of support from mayors and county executives. (Includes signatures as of May 26, 2016)
The deadline to sign on is Friday May 19, 2017.
Please join us. It is crucial that we document the breadth of support that CNCS programs have earned, and share this information with Congress as the budget and appropriations process continues.
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. Please fill in ALL sections below.