AmeriCorps NCCC Cuts Spark Outrage Amid Mass Volunteer Layoffs

WASHINGTON — AmeriCorps has abruptly laid off hundreds of young volunteers from its National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) program, sources confirmed Tuesday. The program faced operational changes following a visit from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which aimed to reduce federal workforce by significant margins.

In a memo obtained by The Post, volunteers were informed that they must pack their belongings and return home, effective immediately. “In alignment with the Trump-Vance Administration priorities, AmeriCorps NCCC is working within new operational parameters that impact the program’s ability to sustain program operations,” the memo stated. The agency has transitioned to new operational guidelines just as the fiscal realities of the NCCC became clearer.

Ken Goodson, the NCCC National Director, confirmed in a separate notification that all positions in the NCCC would be terminated by April 30. He noted, “I am hereby approving your early release from the NCCC program for compelling personal circumstances. Your early departure is considered compelling as it results from program circumstances beyond your control.” Volunteers were also made aware of their eligibility for a pro-rated education award if they had completed at least 15% of their service hours.

As of now, the total number of volunteers affected remains unclear, but AmeriCorps NCCC’s budget for fiscal year 2024 was approximately $37.7 million, set to increase to $42.7 million in the current period. The NCCC program, which typically enrolls over 1,000 young adults annually for around 10 months of service in various initiatives, has faced increasing scrutiny from lawmakers.

“Each member’s ten months of service costs $29,674… for that sum, four individuals could obtain two-year community college degrees,” noted a report highlighting the expenditures of the program. Critics argue that despite this significant financial commitment, the outcomes for NCCC alumni do not exceed those of lower-cost AmeriCorps programs. A high attrition rate of up to 27% among NCCC participants has drawn concern, as well as inefficiencies in disaster relief deployment.

Following the administration’s announcements, volunteers took to social media to express their disappointment. Stephan Edgar, a strategic resilience and preparedness manager at the University of California, Santa Cruz, shared, “I just found out that the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), the program which gave me essential experience in disaster response and recovery, is in the process of being gutted entirely.” Edgar noted that friends and family members were being sent home or placed on administrative leave.

AmeriCorps has not yet commented on the future of the program or any potential cuts beyond the NCCC. Erin Schneider, an AmeriCorps press secretary, acknowledged that DOGE staff is actively working with AmeriCorps in light of these operational changes.

As the news of layoffs continues to circulate, an AmeriCorps representative, while on a hotline call, stated there were no immediate plans to shut down any programs. However, the developments have raised questions about the future of community service initiatives across the U.S.

Further complicating matters, President Joe Biden had previously issued an executive order intending to enhance support for AmeriCorps members, including extending benefits. The current situation reflects a stark turn in federal funding and support for these volunteer programs as advocacy around their value grows increasingly polarized.

With ongoing discussions around budget cuts and workforce reductions, the NCCC’s abrupt terminations underscore significant shifts in the landscape of national service programs, leaving many young volunteers worried about their future and the communities they support.