***Quick Update - Great work friends. We have significantly increased the number of individuals and organizations supporting this effort. The deadline has been extended to October 11 so please continue to share. https://lnkd.in/g-EJ53T3
📣 Attention WA State Friends:
Please join me in taking action to protect AmeriCorps and ensuring it continues to thrive in Washington and beyond.
As a proud AmeriCorps alumna and someone who has worked with thousands of AmeriCorps members over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact the program has on individuals, how it strengthens communities, and creates lasting change across our state.
AmeriCorps members are on the frontlines during the toughest times—helping people recover from disasters, supporting communities through the COVID-19 pandemic, and providing aid during financial downturns. But they are also there every day in our schools, parks, community centers, and neighborhoods, making a difference where it’s needed most.
20 years ago, Michael Kelly and I moved to Seattle to serve as AmeriCorps members with Solid Ground. Service gave me the opportunity to tutor children in the Highline School District, connect families experiencing homelessness with housing, and increase access to the Earned Income Tax Credit at United Way. Today, many of my fellow AmeriCorps alumni are executive directors, elected officials, advocates, teachers, lawyers, community leaders, and caring citizens. AmeriCorps not only makes a powerful impact now but also builds a pipeline of civically engaged leaders who will continue to shape the future.
LISC Puget Sound is a proud AmeriCorps champion and we are deeply concerned that proposed federal budget cuts could eliminate between 23,000 and 75,000 AmeriCorps service opportunities next year. This would be a devastating loss at a time when the needs in our communities have never been greater.
Voices for National Service, in collaboration with several Washington AmeriCorps programs, is spearheading a letter to our congressional delegation urging them to increase funding for AmeriCorps in fiscal year 2025. I hope you’ll join us in signing this letter to show our leaders how critical AmeriCorps is to the future of our state.
The deadline to sign is Friday, October 4th. Signatures are welcome from state and local organizations, institutions, businesses, philanthropy, and individuals.
Now is the time to protect and expand AmeriCorps in Washington. Let’s keep AmeriCorps on the frontlines of making Washington a place where everyone has a chance to thrive.
Copy and past think link to sign on: https://lnkd.in/g-EJ53T3