Congress is preparing to expand service programs in the U.S., more than tripling the number the AmeriCorps positions, and creating other new volunteer opportunities and programs. The bill would provide $5 billion over five years for living expenses and educational stipends for people of all ages to volunteer in the fields of health care, energy, education and the environment. An expanded service program would create work opportunities in the shrinking job market, plug some of the holes in the suffering nonprofit sector, and make a dent in addressing social and environmental challenges in the U.S. And as the largest U.S. commitment to civil service since the New Deal, it would boost the culture of service, creating a large new corps of Americans who are more likely to continue to serve their communities in the future.
You can help to make sure that the U.S. receives this much needed infusion of civic participation by signing on to become a co-sponsor of the legislation, urging your Congressional representatives to pass the bill. ServiceNation makes it easy for you to do that here. If you’re ready to serve, you can explore service opportunities here. And you can keep the momentum going and help ignite America’s civic spirit by spreading the word.
Tags: civil service · community service · public service · Serve America Act · service · volunteer2 Comments
Serve America Act appears to be a very good idea notwithstanding some of the negative comments at Service Nation.
I intend to learn more about it. That will require some time of course. But afterwards, I intend not only to blog about it but to act on it! Either forget about it altogether or, ask our lawmakers to come up with something like it for the Philippines!
One thing I’ll never forget is that I first learned about it through your amazing blog!
Thanks Anne and God bless always.
Hi Rolly,
Thanks for visiting ChangeAction.
There were some controversial amendments offered with the Serve America Act. We’ll have to watch closely as the Senate and House reconcile their two bills to make sure that the final bill serves it’s purpose, without undue restrictions on participants activities and that it makes the best use of our taxpayer dollars. As a general idea, I think voluntary national service is wonderful for the participants, for the economy, and for our social welfare. I particularly like that it would help to improve college accessibility to students who might not otherwise be able to afford to attend.
Good luck with your own efforts in the Philippines. I’ll look forward to hearing more about that.