AmeriCorps Builds Four Houses In One Day Funding Cutbacks Jeopardize Future Service

Battle Creek, Michigan – Over 300 Michigan’s AmeriCorps members came from across the state for the annual Russ Mawby Signature Service Project.  In just one day, AmeriCorps members completed 19 different projects including building four Habitat for Humanity homes, landscaping and beautifying the Washington Heights and Park Hill neighborhoods and parks, building sheds for Habitat homes in the area, and preparing the Leila Arboretum’s Children’s Garden for its grand opening. 

State officials gathered at the project site also discussed the proposed 85 percent cut in federal funding for AmeriCorps and its impact on Michigan communities.

“These dedicated individuals give of themselves today and throughout the year making our communities safer and stronger for children and families,” said First Gentleman Daniel Mulhern, Chair of the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC).  “With 85 percent budget cuts in store for next year’s AmeriCorps programs, each of us should be seriously concerned and take action.”

Kyle Caldwell, Executive Director of the MCSC, discussed the recent announcement of drastic funding cuts for AmeriCorps by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).    This is a result of a series of accountability gaps within the CNCS and the subsequent response of the U.S. Congress.  

“The impact of the 85 percent funding cuts on Michigan will be devastating.  Currently Michigan’s AmeriCorps programs serve more than 115,000 people each year.  Next year that number will be reduced to approximately 17,250,” said Caldwell.  “The 700 members currently serving Michigan’s communities will be cut to 100.”

Michigan’s AmeriCorps funding to communities will decline from $6.2 million to about $900,000.    The number of programs will be cut from 24 to nine—and the size of the nine remaining programs will be greatly reduced.  The reduction in the number of Michigan residents served by AmeriCorps members will be felt in the following areas:

• Education: The number of students and families served by Michigan’s AmeriCorps members through educational activities such as tutoring, mentoring, after school programs, and service-learning will go from 40,000 to 6,000.
• Human Needs:  The number of residents served by programs such as support for the homeless, employment training, parenting skills, GED preparation, and housing will drop from 8,200 to 1,230.
• Public Safety:  Individuals involved in domestic violence prevention and youth conflict resolution programs will drop from 29,000 to 4,350.
• Environment:  The number of residents receiving environmental education and risk assessments will decline from approximately 38,000 residents to 5,700.
• Loss of Community Volunteers:  Michigan’s AmeriCorps members are well known for the number of volunteers they recruit to help serve local communities.  The funding cuts will result in the loss of 16,490 volunteers in local communities.

The Signature Service Project is an annual event hosted by the MCSC, a state agency that funds and supports volunteer efforts, in partnership with local communities.  This year, in honor of Dr. Russ Mawby, Chairman Emeritus of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and former Chairman of the MCSC, the project was renamed the Russ Mawby Signature Service Project.  Dr. Mawby is beloved throughout Michigan as a staunch supporter of volunteer service and youth advocacy and was honored today.

Senator Mark Schauer and Representative Mike Nofs both of Battle Creek were on hand to serve with and thank the AmeriCorps members.  Also participating in the day’s activities were Senator Valde Garcia, Representative Clark Bisbee, and Representative David Farhat.