Save Americorps

Government programs that encourage volunteerism have a long history of bipartisan support. (Remember President George H. W. Bush's "Thousand points of light"?) Now the Republicans controlling the U.S. House of Representatives are threatening to end this bipartisan tradition by zero-funding some of the most cost-effective programs, including Americrops, Teach For America, Foster Grandparents, City Year, Senior Companions, Habitat for Humanity, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, YouthBuild, and VISTA (which I served in).

Ironically, these programs are among the most efficent and effective initiatives funded by the Federal government, requiring only modest investments of public dollars to do a great deal of good in communities around the country, while helping to develop leadership skills and traditions of public service.

I'll be traveling to Washington, DC next week to participate in an effort to inform Congressional leaders of both parties how valuable these programs are to communities across America.  If you agree that Americorps is a worthwhile program, please contact your Representatives and Senators in Washington today.  To find out how you can get involved, please visit http://www.saveservice.org/pages/action-center/.

If we fail to act now, a generation of young Americans may be denied the opportunities for public service that have have benefited so many of us as participants and have helped people in need throughout America for generations.