AmeriCorps members. | Courtesy of Americorps.gov
Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, in collaboration with other states, are suing the Trump administration over the Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts to disband Americorps.
Elon Musk’s DOGE has ordered AmeriCorps to terminate close to $400 million in grants. This will lay off thousands of young Californians from work and financial security.
AmeriCorps is an independent agency of the United States government that includes more than five million Americans in service through various paying volunteer work programs in many sectors.
Founded by Bill Clinton in the 90s. The agency employs more than 500 full-time federal workers and has an operating budget of roughly $1 billion, The Associated Press reported.
“AmeriCorps volunteers bring out the best in America and in our communities,” said Bonta according to a statement on Newsom’s website. By abruptly canceling critical grants and gutting AmeriCorps’ workforce and volunteers, DOGE is dismantling AmeriCorps without any concern for the thousands of people who are ready and eager to serve their country, or for those whose communities are stronger because of this public service.”
Americorps has multiple programs within California, including College Corps, which is offered at Riverside City College.
RCC Director of College Corps Darci Manzo addressed the students in College Corps in a May 5 email. She urged students to keep up with tracking their work hours to maintain a stipend for the rest of the semester.
“We will review the next steps and answer any questions during Friday’s meeting. However, your timesheet compliance with your timesheet by Thursday is non-negotiable to maintain your status in the program. Please prioritize this immediately.”
College Corps member and RCC student Marbella Ceron has conflicting thoughts on the recent cut in spending. Ceron works at Raincross Boxing Academy, an RCC College Corps volunteer location.
“We help kids with academics, as well as supporting them with any goals they have with boxing,” she said. “I feel like programs like this have been threatened by it. He’s (Trump) not putting as much importance (on) academic development (for) young students, or anything educational really.”
AmeriCorps unveiled plans to cut its workforce by up to 50% or more on April 8, according to The Washington Post.
“It’s unreal to see. This has impacted me so much through the financial support. It has helped a lot in my household and for school as well,” Ceron added.
College Corps provides a monthly stipend for student volunteers, as well as scholarship offers for the academic year. “ Just being told Americorps is going to be terminated. It felt like everything we’ve been doing has amounted to nothing. It honestly just sad. The motivation (to work) has been dying down because I feel like it’s ultimately going to amount to nothing.”
The lawsuit was issued on April 25 by the state of California.
According to the Americorps website, California Service Corps is the largest service force in the nation, consisting of four paid service programs: #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, California Climate Action Corps, Youth Service Corps, and AmeriCorps California. It is larger than the Peace Corps and is mobilized at a time when California is addressing post-pandemic academic recovery, rebuilding from the LA fires, and planning for the future of the state’s workforce.
In the 2023-24 service year, AmeriCorps members in California provided 4.3 million hours of service, mentored 73,000 students, supported 17,000 foster youth with education and employment, and helped 26,000 households impacted by the LA fires, New