Senate Joint Resolution No. 16

Introduced by Senator De León

July 9, 2015

Senate Joint Resolution No. 16—Relative to AmeriCorps.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SJR 16, as introduced, De León. AmeriCorps.

This measure would urge the United States Congress to protect and sustain full funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service to ensure the continuation of critically needed services, expand opportunities, and save taxpayer dollars through essential national service programs like AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, More than 27,000 people of all ages and
backgrounds are helping to meet local needs, strengthen
communities, and increase civic engagement through national
service in California; and

WHEREAS, These citizens tutor and mentor children, support
veterans and military families, provide health services, restore the
environment, respond to disasters, increase economic opportunity,
and recruit and manage volunteers at more than 3,200 locations
throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, The Corporation for National and Community
Service (CNCS) runs three AmeriCorps programs: AmeriCorps,
which provides grants to a network of local and national
organizations and agencies committed to using national service to
address critical community needs in education, public safety,
health, and the environment; AmeriCorps VISTA, whose members
help bring individuals and communities out of poverty by serving
full time to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create
businesses, and increase housing opportunities; and AmeriCorps
NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), a residential program
for people 18-24 years of age that strengthens communities and
develops leaders through direct, team-based national and
community service; and

WHEREAS, This year, the CNCS committed more than
$108,520,000 to support California communities through national
service initiatives, investing in cost-effective community solutions
and working hand in hand with local partners to improve lives,
expand economic opportunity, and engage citizens in solving
problems in their communities; and

WHEREAS, The CNCS provides vital support to schools, food
banks, homeless shelters, community health clinics, youth centers,
veterans service facilities, and other nonprofit and faith-based
organizations at a time of growing demand for services in many
of the state’s most impoverished communities and, through a
unique public-private partnership, leverages an additional
$49,930,000 in other resources to strengthen community impact,
build local support, and increase return on taxpayer dollars; and

WHEREAS, This year AmeriCorps is providing more than 7,600
individuals the opportunity to provide intensive, results-driven
service to meet the pressing needs in communities across
California. Administered primarily through CaliforniaVolunteers,
the state office that manages programs and initiatives to increase
the number of Californians involved with service and volunteerism,
AmeriCorps received $28 million in grants to 48 programs
statewide with a majority of the investment benefitting
education-related programs; and

WHEREAS, AmeriCorps helps make higher education more
affordable for young Californians who serve and qualify for the
Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards, which AmeriCorps alumni
can use to pursue higher education or to pay off existing, qualified
student loans, thereby enhancing their financial stability and
increasing their employability into the future; and

WHEREAS, National service programs are cost effective and
represent a smart investment for the nation and for the State of
California because, with every dollar invested in national service,
there is a return to society of $3.95 in terms of higher earnings,
more output, and other community-wide benefits and every federal
dollar invested in national service yields $2.20 in savings to other
government programs; and

WHEREAS, Since 1994, more than 120,000 California residents
have served more than 150 million hours and benefited millions
of Californians with their selfless dedication and commitment to
service; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature recognizes AmeriCorps
members, both past and present, who have made the commitment
to serve our state and our country and thanks them for their service;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature urges the United States Congress
to protect and sustain full funding for the Corporation for National
and Community Service to ensure the continuation of critically
needed services, expand opportunities, and save taxpayer dollars
through essential national service programs like AmeriCorps and
AmeriCorps VISTA; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to each Senator and Representative from California
in the Congress of the United States and to the author for
appropriate distribution.