1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

AmeriCorps plays a vital role in addressing critical community needs through national service programs that support education, environmental conservation, disaster relief, and assistance for vulnerable populations such as veterans and seniors. Last year, 8,500 Americans served with AmeriCorps at over 1,000 locations in Pennsylvania. The decision to terminate nearly $400 million in grants, constituting 41% of AmeriCorps' total grant funding, will devastate these essential initiatives and deprive communities across the country of invaluable services and resources. This drastic budget cut imperils the work of over 1,000 organizations and 32,465 AmeriCorps members and senior volunteers, whose efforts strengthen communities and uplift those in need. AmeriCorps programs foster civic engagement, provide skills training, and create pathways to education and employment for thousands of Americans each year. The abrupt termination of longstanding grants, without due process or appeals, undermines the democratic principles upon which AmeriCorps was founded. Preserving AmeriCorps' funding is crucial to sustaining its mission of promoting national service and community empowerment. A strong, well-funded AmeriCorps is an investment in the well-being of our nation and its people. I urge you to take immediate action to restore funding for this vital agency and protect the invaluable services it provides.