DOGE cuts impact Central California nonprofit work

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- "AmeriCorps members are the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations," said HandsOn Central California Executive Director Carol Davies.

Less than 2 weeks ago, the federally funded bureau AmeriCorps had its fund slashed by the Department of Government Efficiency, besides known arsenic DOGE.

This determination eliminates astir $400 cardinal worthy of assistance money-- starring to the firing oregon laying disconnected of 85 percent of the AmeriCorps workforce.

Davies said they person a tiny magnitude of national backing to enactment a radical of AmeriCorps RSVP volunteers astatine their organization.

An RSVP unpaid is idiosyncratic 55 years aged oregon better. Hands On helps negociate the elder volunteers and spreads them passim the Central Valley.

RSVP unpaid manager Tish Standley said the RSVP radical is determination successful times of need, similar the 2023 Planada flooding.

"They truly responded to that catastrophe truthful poignantly and truthful intentionally. They're already engaged successful their community, serving it connected a regular ground with nutrient distributions, activities for seniors, and past these torrential rains came and they conscionable showed up," said Standley.

Hands On supports 7 counties successful Central California and sends their volunteers, including their AmeriCorps RSVP volunteers, to astir 150 nonprofits successful our community.

Standley, on with Davies and their team, are present brainstorming to spot what tin beryllium done if AmeriCorps RSVP is forced to dismantle.

"We person the cognition and the expertise for doing this work. I'm not going to spell down without a fight."

On Tuesday, First 5 successful Madera announced that 3 AmeriCorps programs, Birth and Beyond, Foster Youth Initiative, and Prevent Abuse Through Home Visitation, were being instantly terminated.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta said this determination by DOGE is unlawful.

Bonta, on with 23 different Attorneys General, filed a suit against President Trump's medication implicit the termination of AmeriCorps.

"We won't let the President to demolish the champion of who we are arsenic a nation, the champion of what we tin be," said Bonta.

This is the 16th suit filed against the Trump medication by Bonta and others successful the past 14 weeks.

HandsOn says they volition person a amended knowing of their declaration with AmeriCorps astir May 7th.

In the meantime, the enactment wants radical to look astatine the unpaid enactment being done successful their assemblage and talk retired to their authorities representatives.

For much accusation connected however you tin get involved, click here.

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