State AmeriCorps programs adapt to funding uncertainty

For services that rely on federal dollars, it's been a confusing year of ups and downs.

- BY LASHERICA THORNTON

AMERICORPS members Aidan Lyons, left, and Bibianna McConologue carry food to recipients at a Thanksgiving distribution event in Commerce in 2023.

(IRFAN KHAN Los Angeles Times)

For programs across California that rely on federal AmeriCorps funding to provide services such as mentoring and tutoring, it's been a year of dramatic ups and downs.

In April, California AmeriCorps programs lost millions of dollars in federal funding, which was then restored in late August as a result of a multistate lawsuit. Programs now face an existential threat with a Trump administration budget proposal to dismantle the agency.

Amid this roller coaster, those who run AmeriCorps programs say they are learning how to adapt. Many have established contingency plans to keep their programs running if funding is pulled again. Others have turned to fundraising. And in some cases, out of fear of losing funding, programs have closed.

"The federal government has infused a high level of chaos that creates a lot of anxiety and uncertainty for our programs," said Josh Fryday, director of the Governor's Office of Service and Community Engagement (GO-Serve), which oversees California Volunteers the state service organization that receives most AmeriCorps grant funding and disburses it to schools, nonprofit organizations and other entities.

AmeriCorps, an independent agency of the U.S. government, supports volunteer and service efforts in California and across the country by addressing issues such as academic support for students, youth mentoring, homelessness, food insecurity, health and other key areas.