Protect Americorps funding

To the Editor:

More than 8,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers make a difference across northern Wisconsin and communities throughout the state, making a positive impact through well over one million hours of service.

At over 850 locations throughout the state, they provide educational programming, support citizens with disabilities and the elderly, assist homeless youth, construct housing, complete conservation and disaster recovery projects, help people lead healthier lives, and assist others in numerous other ways. 

Their ability to positively impact our state is threatened by the budget being proposed in the House of Representatives, which would slash federal AmeriCorps funding by more than 50%. If these budget changes were enacted, they would lead to a dramatic reduction in funding for Wisconsin programs, drastically decreasing the services being provided to help others. 

In northern Wisconsin, this would impact programming from the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, RSVP of Oneida County, Marshfield Clinic, and with other organizations serving at schools, clinics, and nonprofits.

Congress should reject these cuts proposed in the House and should adopt the AmeriCorps funding levels passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee, which had wide bipartisan support for maintaining funding for AmeriCorps programs and the difference they make.  

Anthony Hallman 

Three Lakes