Dear Voices Community:
As we wrap up another exciting week here in Washington, I wanted to express my gratitude for all the #Stand4Service activity at this critical moment. While we still need to mobilize against the White House budget, the latest budget deal from Congress has given us a chance to go on the offensive, and fight for an increase in funding for CNCS in FY18. We’re hopeful that your ongoing work to raise awareness of impact will help make our case even stronger. Please continue to seek press opportunities and share your support over social media.
Here are a few updates from the past week:
-A big thank you to Voices for National Service Kansas and Melody Gault of Butler County RSVP for facilitating this great OpEd in the Butler County Times Gazette. This is a great example on how you can make your voice heard through local media.
-We are excited to share that Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) has joined the National Service Caucus. Thank you to Tess Scannell for your work to make an ask during a recent trip to DC, and for your ongoing presence in Maine!
–Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) met with City Year San Antonio, viewing the work they to do support the students and schools in the area. We’re grateful to have his support.
-The Rio Arriba County AmeriCorps VISTA project had the opportunity to meet with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas to discuss their work about fighting the opioid epidemic in the state.
-Thanks to College Possible of Omaha for sharing the impact of your program with Nebraska state Senators!
-At the Tennessee Education Summit, former Secretary of Education John King expressed his appreciation for the work of City Year and met with representatives of City Year Memphis.
–Raleigh Bailey of Greensboro, NC (AmeriCorps alum and program staff) shared this powerful OpEd in the News Observer, titled “Trump budget threatens AmeriCorps and the spirit of national service!”
–City Year Los Angeles AmeriCorps member Erin Willis had the opportunity to interview Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) on the topic of service and social justice. Take a read here!