AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. It allows adults to serve in communities nationwide in a variety of roles, from veteran assistance to disaster relief to supporting afterschool and summer programs. Every $1 in federal taxes invested in AmeriCorps and Senior Corps returns more than $17 to society, program members, and the government.

AmeriCorps volunteers serve in all 50 states at afterschool and summer learning programs working directly with youth, or on efforts to strengthen the programs and supports available to youth (via VISTA, or Volunteers in Service to America). The program also enables those who serve to gain valuable work experience, explore career paths, and earn an education award to go toward student loans.

Cuts to AmeriCorps staff and funding put kids and programs at risk. The loss of AmeriCorps support may mean that afterschool and summer programs have to cut services or the number of youth they support, when programs already struggle to meet the great demand in their communities.

The Afterschool Alliance runs a VISTA program that places staff at state afterschool networks. Over 14 years, VISTA placements have:

Expanded access to STEM afterschool programs by developing Think Make Create labs and launching Chief Science Officer programs.
Helped remove paperwork barriers for afterschool and summer learning programs that want to participate in the Summer Food Service Program and Afterschool Meals Programs.
Developed tools to support 21st Century Community Learning Center programs in achieving financial stability;
Established literacy programs to increase grade level reading among boys and young men of color; and
Incorporated youth voice into program planning decisions.

Read more about policy developments and funding losses.