it needs to be. >> Wisconsin was among
states that sued over the Trump administration's
nearly $400 million cut to AmeriCorps. Subsequently, a
federal court issued a temporary injunction
restoring its programs and funding in Wisconsin. About
$14 million goes to AmeriCorps programs and
schools, health care clinics, and in nonprofits.
Where does all this leave the program? In Wisconsin,
we turn to the executive director of Serve Wisconsin,
a state agency that partners with AmeriCorps to recruit
and train volunteer workers who receive stipends for
living expenses. Jeanne Duffy joins us now. And
thanks very much for being here.
>> So how welcome was the news that the court issued
this temporary injunction? >> Oh, it was very welcome.
It was a joyous moment. It was just a reaffirm
affirmation of our work, what we do, and that the
rule of law still stands, that you cannot illegally
terminate grants. >> How disruptive, though,
to the programs was the elimination of the grant?
>> Oh, it's been a roller coaster. And as you know,
it's a lot easier to break things than to bring things
back. We had almost 400 members serving in April
when we got notice that the grant terminations, the
grants were terminated, and many of those people are,
you know, between ages and 20 and 25, so they can't sit
around and wait for another six weeks to see if they are
going to be brought back to service. So a lot of our
members have already moved of our programs kept their
members on and service, and many so they can instantly
return to service, but it's a hard row to hoe to bring
things back. >> What is the purpose of
AmeriCorps? >> Yes, AmeriCorps is a
lovely program, so I would say that. But our mission is
to bring people together through service, and we
serve some of our most vulnerable citizens and
communities, and we help connect people in service to
build civic engagement and empathy amongst our our
citizens and our young people. So every year we
have over 1000 young people primarily serving across the
state from, you know, superior down to Kenosha.
And they are doing a variety of things. And through their
service, they are gaining essential workforce
development skills, leadership skills,
communication skills, and learning how to bridge
divides and becoming engaged citizens.
and where in the state are they?
>> Yeah, so like I said, we are statewide. We have
members serving at youth shelters statewide, and
they're helping homeless and runaway youth. Over 1000
every year get back into safe housing. And what's so
sad about that is it often means not going home. We are
AmeriCorps members, are primarily known for working
in schools, and every year we help over 17,000 students
through tutoring, after school programs, or getting
into college. Summer is a prime time for AmeriCorps.
We have conservation programs working across the
state, doing improving over 600 acres of our lands,
removing invasive species, planting trees, doing flood
mitigation and work such as that.
>> Wow. A lot of different kinds of programs that
people are working in. >> If there's a community
need, there's probably an AmeriCorps member serving
there. >> So at this point,
notwithstanding, the young people, the volunteers, the
members, as they're called, having possibly left, have
services returned to normal. >> Yes. So we have many
programs that staff summer camps, such as Easter Seals
and Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee. So Easter
Seals runs two summer camps to help people of all
abilities have a, you know, a quality summer camp
experience. Like many kids love and AmeriCorps members
are being returned to service to help staff those
programs in the Milwaukee area. You know, people,
parents count on summer camps for child care during
the summer. And we have over 50 members who serve in
summer camps in the Milwaukee area. So the Boys
and Girls Club are bringing those people back to help
staff the summer camps. >> At this point, what is
the status of the court process?
>> So we had the grant terminations April 25th and
then shortly after the state of Wisconsin joined a
multi-state lawsuit for suing against the illegal
termination of the grants. We have an injunction. And
that was last week. And right now the injunction is
standing, and the federal government has not appealed
the injunction, but they have up to 60 days to file
an appeal. time, while waiting really
for a final resolution, where does that uncertainty
leave people in the program? Both those who work for it
and those who are recipients of it?
>> Yeah, no. Like I said, it's a roller coaster and
many people don't want to take the risk because
AmeriCorps is a cost reimbursement program. So
these nonprofits, they have to expend the money before
they get reimbursed by the federal government. So they
by bringing members back, they're putting their own
financial security at risk and hoping that they'll get
reimbursed by the federal government. The state of
Wisconsin, you know, is providing the assurances
that we can. But it is a risk. And also, we've
committed to members to and so members have to know
that, you know, these are primarily young people.
Maybe they're in college, maybe they're not. But, you
know, they're counting on this for their summer
experience. So if it gets terminated, it could disrupt
their plans too. >> All right. Well, we will