News : AmeriCorps NCCC in Vinton sends members home

As a results of President Trump's administration's Department of Government Effeciency, it has directed that AmeriCorps NCCC send their volunteers home this week, affecting the Vinton campus directly.

In a press release from Vinton Mayor, Bud Maynard, he sums up beautifully the thoughts of the community of Vinton concerning the dismissal of the AmeriCorps NCCC volunteers.

"AmeriCorps NCCC has been, without a doubt, a blessing for Vinton. The community has benefitted in so many ways but most importantly having the opportunity to meet hundreds of people over the years with an unmatched passion and selflessness to want to help others. I truly wish all the members the best in the next chapter of their lives and hope the experiences they have had here will stay with them throughout their lifetime. All of Vinton should never forget what a great program, filled with great people, this has been for not only Vinton but every community that benefitted from their mission. Their impact will be remembered forever.

As for the privately owned campus, I am sure the owners will need some time to digest and sort through everything and plan their next steps. The city can't speculate on the plans that the owner may have, and we will wait to hear what their plans are.Again, thanks to everyone involved for many great years of service and dedication. It has and will forever be appreciated."

AmeriCorps celebrated its 30th year last year. It had arrived in Vinton in 2008, the same year as the flood that hit Vinton. Housed at the former Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, on the edge of Vinton, AmeriCorps has been available to work in the community. Volunteering in the Old School Produce garden to provide food to the local Food Pantry as well as assisting the Vinton Parks and Rec department to create the Veterans Park. So many projects throughout the community were impacted by AmeriCorps for the better.

Volunteers have worked not only in Vinton but have been dispatched to areas hit by natural disasters. According to their website, they have provided 8 million service hours and have worked on nearly 3,400 disaster projects since 1999.

As part of the president's campaign to shrink the government workforce, AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps volunteers were informed on Tuesday that they would be leaving the program.

People ages 18-26 serve close to a year and are assigned to projects helping nonprofits and community organizations or FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency).

"Funding for AmeriCorps and NCCC has long been included when there are talks in Congress of budget trims. The federal agency's budget showed NCCC funding amounted to nearly $38 million last fiscal year," APNews said. They also included a quote from an "unsigned memo to members" which read, ""ability to sustain program operations" was impacted by "new operational parameters" laid out by the Trump administration's priorities and President Donald Trump's executive order creating the Department of Government Efficiency. Members, who receive a living allowance and have basic expenses covered, would be paid through the end of April.

According to the article, "The program also provides members who complete their 1,700-hour service term with funding for future education expenses or to apply to certain student loans. That benefit was worth about $7,300 this service year. The memo stated that those who have completed 15% or more of their term would be eligible for a prorated amount, but those that have completed less would not be eligible."