Protect AmeriCorps — a source for launching futures and bridging divides

To the Editor:

The news that AmeriCorps may be terminated is deeply troubling. For decades, AmeriCorps has been a vital national service program, empowering thousands of Americans — especially young people — to serve their communities through education, disaster response, health outreach, and more. Its elimination would not only dismantle opportunities for public service, but also remove critical support systems in communities that need them most.

I served with AmeriCorps the summer of 2021 for the Lakes Region Conservation Corps in central New Hampshire, and to say this experience was life changing doesn’t even cut it. My eyes were opened to so many new experiences and circumstances, and this experience helped shape me into the person I am today. After my service term, I ended up working for my host site for a number of years and was the host site supervisor for AmeriCorps members after me.

AmeriCorps is more than just a service year — it’s a launchpad for civic engagement, professional development, and national unity. In a time when our country feels increasingly divided, programs like AmeriCorps help bridge gaps between communities and connect people with a shared sense of purpose.

Cutting AmeriCorps isn’t just shortsighted — it’s harmful. We should be expanding opportunities for national service, not eliminating them.

I urge everyone who values service, equity, and community to contact their representatives in Congress and tell them to protect AmeriCorps. We can’t afford to lose this vital investment in our people and our future. 

Emily Koester

Boulder Junction