Dear Voices Community,
The FY19 process is moving full steam ahead on normal schedule.
As most of you know, members of Congress have the ability to request, through the Appropriations Committee, funding for their federal priorities. These are known as “programmatic appropriations requests.” Members can add their names to Dear Colleague letters or they can include programs and agencies in their personal letters to the Appropriations Committee highlighting their office’s priorities. Representatives Matsui and Price are currently circulating a Dear Colleague letter in support of CNCS funding in the House, and Senators Cassidy and Coons will soon be doing the same in the Senate. The House deadline for submitting priorities to the Labor, HHS Appropriations Committee is Monday, March 19. The Senate deadline is in mid-April. This is an important tool to indicate support for CNCS and its programs, and we must ensure that a diverse group of members sign on.
As we head into AmeriCorps week, our champions in the Senate are planning to introduce a resolution recognizing the service of AmeriCorps members and alums. This is a great opportunity and an easy way for members of Congress to show support for our programs. Led by Senators Coons (D-DE), Cochran (R-MS), Wicker (R-MS) and Shaheen (D-NH), Senate offices are invited to cosponsor.
Here are a few highlights from the past week:
-A big thanks to Dave Neary, Executive Director of DuPage Habitat for Humanity for penning this great letter to the editor in The Chicago Tribune about the impact the administration’s proposed cuts to AmeriCorps will have on the affordable housing crisis.
-This past week, Rep. David Young (R-IA) joined the National Service Congressional Caucus!
-Thanks to the Westbay Community RSVP program for hosting Senator Jack Reed (D-RI).
-The Mott Foundation is highlighting the impact of AmeriCorps members in Flint, MI throughout the month of March. Read this great profile on their website.
–Governor Steve Bullock (D-MT) joined AmeriCorps VISTA members to kick off their year of service! Check out his tweet and thank him for the support!
–Susan Lythgoe, Executive Director of Flatirons Habitat for Humanity wrote a powerful OpEd in the Daily Camera about the impact of the administration’s proposed cuts. This is a great example that programs can replicate across the country.
–Tim Penny, President and CEO of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a host organization for an AmeriCorps program that focuses on early childhood development, wrote this “must read” column in the Red Wing Republican Eagle on the impact his members are having across the state.
-Thank you to Susanna Flug-Silva, Director, Eli J. & Phyllis N. Segal Citizen Leadership Program for inviting us to participate in conjunction with the Service Year Alliance on an “Appropriations 101” webinar hosted by two Segal fellows, Kareen Sanchez and Cali Moore. The webinar was recorded and is a great tool to share with others to give a high level overview of our work.