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4mo ago

Trump Administration Cuts $400M in AmeriCorps Grants, Displacing Thousands of Volunteers

The abrupt funding termination has halted critical community service programs and prompted legal challenges from 24 states and D.C.

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To mark Americorps’ annual 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance locally, workers with Americorps teamed up with Civic Works and other volunteers, including a group from the Christian Temple in Catonsville, to clean up Mothers' Garden in Clifton Park. After removing overgrown branches, the group gathered in a circle to remember the tragedy of those lost in 9/11, before continuing their work to remove invasive plants and pull weeds. The purpose of the historic garden, created in 1926 to honor mothers of veterans after World War I, still resonates today as people come together in remembrance through community service projects.

Overview

  • The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, eliminated $400 million in AmeriCorps grants, ending thousands of service terms nationwide.
  • Over 120 AmeriCorps positions in Maine and 250 in Maryland were terminated, disrupting programs in education, disaster relief, and environmental conservation.
  • States are pursuing a multistate lawsuit, arguing that the Trump administration's actions violate Congress's authority over federal funding and programs.
  • Community organizations and state agencies are scrambling to secure alternative funding and provide clarity on stipends, health coverage, and education awards for affected members.
  • The cuts have left volunteers and communities reeling, with some members continuing to serve without pay out of commitment to their roles.