BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR AMERICORPS
WHEREAS, since 1994, more than 350,000
men and women have served in AmeriCorps, providing valuable assistance to
millions of Americans; and
WHEREAS, AmeriCorps members tutor in
schools, run after-school programs, build affordable housing, and provide
public health services; and
WHEREAS, hundreds of AmeriCorps state and
local programs clean rivers and streams, enrich after-school programs, support
local law enforcement, deliver services to the elderly, and meet other critical
needs defined by the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, AmeriCorps programs have
expanded their work in public safety, public health, fire prevention, and
disaster relief; and
WHEREAS, cities have been able to benefit
from AmeriCorps members recruiting, training and leading service opportunities
for everyday citizens and traditional volunteers; and
WHEREAS, a 1995 independent cost-benefit
study, validated by the U.S. Government Accounting Office, found that programs
supported by AmeriCorps return between $1.60 and $2.60 in services for every
dollar invested in their initiatives; and
WHEREAS, AmeriCorps is a major asset to
America’s cities, and The US Conference of Mayors is deeply committed to its
success and future; and
WHEREAS, The Corporation for National and Community Service has been
instructed by Congress, the President, and its Board of Directors to conduct a
federal rulemaking process; and
WHEREAS, regulatory changes have the
potential to either draw on a decade of best practices, leveraging competition
and private sector support, or unravel some of the fundamental principles that
have shaped the national service infrastructure in America; and
WHEREAS, AmeriCorps programs leverage
millions of dollars from the private sector to support community needs, the
viability of the private sector is not consistent throughout the United States,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States
Conference of Mayors urges the Corporation for National and Community Service
to avoid policy changes that will negatively impact the quality and consistency
of service in our communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of
Mayors calls on local governments and the private sector to be active
participants in AmeriCorps, but urges the Corporation to continue its
commitment by investing in this highly effective public/private partnership;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the Corporation
to avoid a mandatory increase in the match requirement above the 33 percent
level currently required by the Corporation for National and Community Service;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly urges the
Corporation to let competition govern the grant process by not setting time
limits on the number of years AmeriCorps programs could receive federal
support; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors recommends that the
Corporation maintain the current statutory requirements for the federal share
of healthcare and childcare costs to preserve equal access to AmeriCorps for
all Americans, regardless of income level.
©2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors 