AmeriCorps: Partnering with State and Local Leaders to Get Things Done

By Mal Coles Acting CEO, AmeriCorps

Over the past year, as our nation confronted a once-in-a-century pandemic and economic crisis, many state and local leaders turned to AmeriCorps for help.

Across the country, AmeriCorps members supported COVID-19 vaccination and testing centers, staffed food banks, checked on isolated seniors, and helped students stay on track in school. Their service reminded us that even in our darkest hours, Americans look out for one another.

Given the ongoing challenges stemming from the pandemic – and the fiscal constraints facing government at all levels – this is an opportune time for state and local leaders to explore how they can use national service to meet pressing needs in their communities.

As the federal agency for service and volunteering, we are pleased to join Service Year Alliance and America’s Service Commissions to share the many creative ways governors, mayors, and county leaders are using national service to improve lives and strengthen communities.

For nearly three decades, our agency has united Americans of all backgrounds to get things done. Nearly 1.2 million Americans have served in AmeriCorps – making a lasting impact in their communities while earning $4 billion in college scholarships and gaining skills needed for 21st century jobs.

With members serving in 20,000 locations across the country, AmeriCorps is a vital resource for state and local leaders. AmeriCorps members tutor and mentor atrisk youth, tackle hunger and homelessness, respond to natural disasters, help seniors live independently, build and repair affordable housing, preserve public lands, and mobilize millions of volunteers to meet pressing community needs.

Congress created AmeriCorps as a federal, state, and local partnership to support community-driven solutions. Three-fourths of AmeriCorps State and National grant funding is managed by Governor-appointed State Service Commissions, and many city and county governments sponsor AmeriCorps programs.

As you learn about the many ways elected officials across the country partner with AmeriCorps, we encourage you to also explore our AmeriCorps Seniors program, which engages 175,000 older Americans in high-impact service to meet a wide range of community needs.

National service is a smart and cost-effective strategy that solves problems, expands opportunity, and strengthens communities. We hope this toolkit gives you new ideas to use service to improve the health and well-being of your state or city.