AmeriCorps volunteers in San Francisco are facing uncertainty in light of a $400 million funding cut from the White House, impacting nearly a thousand nonprofits nationwide that rely on the program.
Jaden De La Cruz, an AmeriCorps volunteer with Mission Graduates, expressed the disappointment felt among her peers, having previously viewed their service network positively.
The stipends for AmeriCorps volunteers come through federal grants to states, specifically allocated to California Volunteers in California.
For the fiscal year 2024-2025, AmeriCorps allocated $10 million to service organizations in the Bay Area, with 90 percent of that funding sourced from federal contributions.
At Mission Graduates, De La Cruz worked with students at John O’Connell High School, but the funding cuts have derailed her plans to extend her service for another year, leaving her feeling unmoored and uncertain about her future.
In a twist of fate, a series of court decisions in recent months has reinstated approximately $1.9 million of the previously revoked AmeriCorps funding for San Francisco, prompting several nonprofits to prepare for the return of volunteers this fall and to repost available positions.
Despite this positive development, many service organizations remain cautious about welcoming a new class of volunteers after such a tumultuous year.
According to Josh Fryday, the executive director of California Volunteers, many former volunteers may not return due to the need to secure stable employment in light of the recent disruptions.
The cuts to AmeriCorps funding shake nonprofits that have been grappling with their own financial challenges, including a $200 million proposed budget cut at the city level.
In April, when federal cuts to AmeriCorps were first executed, California Volunteers had been distributing stipends to 175 volunteers at 61 sites across San Francisco.
These volunteers were providing crucial support in education and public schools as the San Francisco Unified School District faced a $114 million budget deficit.
The AmeriCorps agency’s April decision sparked confusion and panic among volunteers, many of whom were informed not to report to work the following day.
May Uriarte, another AmeriCorps volunteer with Mission Graduates, felt a profound sense of loss when they could not properly say goodbye to their students.
“With the cuts, it felt like I was grieving a loss at the end of it,” she reflected.
For many nonprofits in San Francisco, AmeriCorps volunteers serve as an integral staffing solution.
Edward Kaufman, CEO of Mission Graduates, emphasized the importance of the program, stating that it provides a cost-effective way to secure needed personnel without the financial burden of hiring permanent staff.
Prior to the funding cuts, Mission Graduates was benefiting from five AmeriCorps volunteers who supported their initiatives in local schools.
Though they managed to secure some funding to retain a few positions beyond April, ultimately, they were forced to conclude all volunteer terms prematurely.
After the judicial injunction restored funding, Mission Graduates invited De La Cruz to apply for another year; however, they cautioned that uncertainties remain regarding the program’s future due to ongoing legal battles and potential federal government interventions.
Fryday indicated mixed responses from organizations regarding their willingness to reinstate AmeriCorps members, with some ready to proceed while others remain hesitant, influenced by the instability of the situation.
De La Cruz hopes to return in the fall, but the size of her cohort will likely be considerably smaller than before, reflecting the ongoing reductions in funding.
Nonprofits stress the value of AmeriCorps volunteers as not just labor but also as a vital pipeline for future employment within their organizations.
With the unknowns looming around AmeriCorps funding, nonprofits question how they will sustain their volunteer programs moving forward.
The turbulence has left many in the field questioning the viability of the AmeriCorps initiative, culminating in a critical crossroads for California’s volunteer programs.
image source from：missionlocal
