Statement by Michael Brown, CEO and co-founder of City Year, on the increase in federal funding for AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service

Growth in Federal Funding for AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service Will Allow More Americans to Serve Their Country and Community

BOSTON, MA (March 23, 2018) — Congress passed, and today the President signed, a $1.3 trillion omnibus appropriations bill which funds the government for the remainder of fiscal year 2018, ending on September 30, 2018. The bill includes an increase in funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service by nearly $34 million, which includes an increase of $26 million for AmeriCorps State and National.

City Year, an education nonprofit fueled by AmeriCorps that is dedicated to helping students and schools succeed, today issued a statement from its CEO and Co-Founder, Michael Brown, on the increased funding for AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

“The growth in federal funding for AmeriCorps will allow hundreds more dedicated citizens to serve their country and provide critically needed services that support educational equity, natural disaster recovery, programs that assist veterans and their families, and more. We are deeply grateful for this demonstration of strong bipartisan Congressional support for national service. All of us at City Year especially want to thank the chairs and ranking members of the Labor-HHS Subcommittee, Senator Roy Blunt, Congressman Tom Cole, Senator Patty Murray and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. AmeriCorps — and the young people who raise their hands to serve their country — represent the very best of America.

“AmeriCorps is a wise federal investment — every federal dollar is matched by more than two dollars from donations and in-kind support from private and other local sources. AmeriCorps yields remarkable results for communities — researchers at Columbia University estimated that every dollar invested in national service programs produces a $3.95 return to society in higher earnings, increased output, and other community-wide benefits.

“City Year is proud to deploy more than 3,000 AmeriCorps members into 327 high-need public schools this year as tutors, mentors and role models. AmeriCorps makes it possible for our diverse teams of City Year AmeriCorps members to serve full-time alongside teachers, establishing relationships with students and providing evidence-based, integrated academic and social-emotional supports to help students and schools succeed.

“Our nation needs to continue to say “yes” to the patriotism and idealism of more young people, and offer all Americans the opportunity to serve and to make a difference for our children, our families, and our communities.”