Opinion : Letter to the Editor: The Benefit of Keeping Americorps Funding

Dear Editor, The former Republican governor of Mississippi, Haley Barbour, who also is former chairman of theRepublican Governors Association, has written a letter shared in the Washington Post explaining why hethinks it's important to continue funding the national service programs, of which AmeriCorps is a part. You can access the former governor's letter here. In our community it's easy to think only of the programs we see. What we don't see are programs likeSenior Corps Foster Grandparents, RSVP - the program for volunteers 55 and over working in their homecommunities, and Senior Companions, volunteers 55 and older providing friendship and daily assistanceallowing some elders to remain in their own homes much longer. Over the past 23 years more than 1 million have served full time in AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps NCCC teamshave assisted 17.6 million Americans in disaster areas, recruited or coordinated 840,000 volunteers, andassisted more than 70,000 veterans. Research has shown that for every $1 spent on youth nationalservice alone, taxpayers save an additional $2, and that every $10 spent on the program by governmentgenerates $15 more in donations from private partnerships. The spending plan proposed by the current administration aims to eliminate the program. The Americorps program is not only important for Vinton, but it is a valuable investment for the nationas well. Governor Barbour eloquently shares how valuable the 40,000 Americorps members working inhis state were after Hurricane Katrina. AmeriCorps members provided direct assistance as well astraining and coordination of thousands of faith-based and community volunteers. Numbers like those shared above are worth knowing, but numbers alone won't persuade legislators tosave this valuable program. It will take citizens like you sharing your thoughts and experiences. And Imight add, if the people of Vinton and the surrounding area who have benefited so much, and haveseen firsthand how important Americorps is won't speak up, who will? A member of our community recently shared that he had been in contact with our representativesabout keeping the program and our representatives said they have been surprised"¦surprised that theyhadn't heard much from us on this issue. Please take a moment to tell your elected representatives about the value of this program to taxpayers,Corps participants, Vinton and America. If you have the time, write a letter. A hand written letter carriesmore weight than an email or a phone call. But if you don't have time to write, please take a moment tocall or email to so your voice is heard. Our representatives can be reached at: Senator Charles Grassley 135 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 52010 202-224-3744 www.grassley.senate.gov/constituents/questions-and-comments Senator Joni Ernst 111 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 202-224-3254 www.ernst.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact Representative Rod Blum 1108 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2911 https://blum.house.gov/contact/email To learn more about the national service programs click here. Kurt Karr