Dear Editor: I just learned this weekend that on Friday, the federal government canceled $400 million in grants to AmeriCorps affecting 1000 programs and 30,000 members. The Sitka AmeriCorps last day of service ended just three short days after this pronouncement.
Every child in Sitka benefits from AmeriCorps.
At Xoots Elementary, Brenna Cummings offers reading tutoring and reading enrichment services to kindergartners and first graders. Her reach extends to every child in the school. She has organized and executed the Xoots school carnival and book fair - a book fair at which she ensured that every child in Xoots received a book to take home.
The reach of AmeriCorps volunteers extends to all the students in all the grades and includes service beyond tutoring. Extracurriculars like cross-country and mock trial enrich the education of Sitka’s children.
Volunteers serve not only in the schools but in our community. Lily Perez , a volunteer at Sitka Fine Arts Camp has mobilized volunteers in the community, and drawn people in to experience Sitka’s art and music scene.
Parks and Recreation serves all kids and adults in Sitka. Kiera Dent serves there as an AmeriCorps volunteer, offering programming connecting Sitkans to a healthy lifestyle. In recent summers, Parks and Rec has offered amazing programming benefiting Sitka’s children and families.
Over the years, AmeriCorps has shaped Sitka as a community. Thank you to Faith Lee and Sarah Lawrie for their work in creating a meaningful experience for AmeriCorps volunteers. More than 70 AmeriCorps volunteers have ended their year of service with the decision to stay in Sitka, often working for social service agencies, schools, and local non-profits.
I would urge you to join me in contacting our legislators. Join the many Sitkans who are calling Senators Murkowski and Sullivan to let them know that AmeriCorps is essential to a Sitka that supports its children. Senator Murkowski can be reached at (202) 224-6665 and Senator Sullivan at (202) 224-3004.
Please be ready to support these volunteers who committed to a year of service but are receiving the news that their commitment isn’t being honored by the government. I am sure that Sarah Lawrie is working hard to see what can be salvaged and ensuring that these volunteers are supported.
Kari Sagel, Sitka
