Office of Governor Tony Evers *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:* May 15, 2025 Contact: [email protected]    *Gov. Evers Delivers Remarks Honoring AmeriCorps Members at 2025 Governor’s Service Awards * "Governor recognizes AmeriCorps members, volunteers, and programs for their significant contributions to the state amid Trump Administration attempts to gut AmeriCorps funding" MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today honored service members, volunteers, and programs within AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Seniors, and local nonprofit organizations for their extraordinary contributions to communities across Wisconsin at the annual 2025 Governor’s Service Awards, which are organized by Serve Wisconsin.

This year’s Governor’s Service Awards took place as the Trump Administration recently announced plans to immediately terminate federal grants for all 25 of the currently operating AmeriCorps programs in Serve Wisconsin’s portfolio [ [link removed] ], as well as the grants for five additional organizations developing programs and a grant to support local communities through the Volunteer Generation Fund. In response, Gov. Evers announced [ [link removed] ]that Wisconsin joined a multi-state lawsuit suing the Trump Administration over the cuts.

Last week, Gov. Evers met with AmeriCorps members in the Chippewa Valley to hear firsthand how these reckless guts to AmeriCorps funding are already disrupting essential services and jeopardizing the futures of those who serve.  A list of impacted AmeriCorps programs through Serve Wisconsin is available here [ [link removed] ].

*Below are Gov. Evers’ remarks as prepared for delivery:*

"It’s great to be here for this year’s Governor’s Service Awards and to celebrate the service and sacrifice of our state’s tremendous AmeriCorps members.  

""First, I want to thank the organizers for putting on today’s event, as well as everyone from Serve Wisconsin, AmeriCorps, and AmeriCorps Seniors for your great work. 

""Of course, thanks to all of the individuals and programs being honored today for the extraordinary work and service you’ve provided to communities across Wisconsin. 

""Public service is honorable, challenging, and incredibly important work, and I’m incredibly grateful for the work that you do. 

""Whether it’s helping communities in need, cleaning up and protecting our natural spaces, or supporting veterans and their families, the work AmeriCorps does makes a difference. ""

""That’s why it’s so important that, as a state, we support you just as you have supported us.   

""This is especially important in the wake of recent federal attacks that have senselessly stripped AmeriCorps programs of their autonomy and ability to operate at full capacity. 

""As you know, the Trump Administration is trying to cut funding that Congress already approved and that we are counting on to help kids, families, and communities across our state. 

""Just last week, I sat down with Serve Wisconsin members in the Chippewa Valley to hear about how these cuts are impacting the good work being done in Wisconsin. 

""I heard about vital projects that will have to come to a halt, countless AmeriCorps members who have been left in the lurch, and the lasting effects this will have on communities all over. 

""The Trump Administration has put many of you in the impossible position to either scrape together the money yourselves or discontinue services and projects that help kids, families, and communities across our state.   

""And let’s be clear—these cuts are all to help pay for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. ""Seriously.

""Folks, let me be loud and clear: we will not accept that here in Wisconsin. ""In this state, we take pride in our dedication to doing good and helping others. ""In this state, we take care of people when they need our help the most.   

""And, in this state, we make sure that people who dedicate their lives to serving others have the recognition, the support, and the resources they need to continue that good work. ""

""So, as I’m sure you’ve heard, we’re taking the Trump Administration to court to stop them. 

""As a state, we are right beside you in this fight to ensure you can continue your important work, which makes Wisconsin a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant place to call home.   ""

""I will continue to fight to ensure no one person has the sole power to make decisions like this unchecked.""
"

"So, thank you all again for your dedicated service to Wisconsin and the people of this state, and congratulations to this year’s award recipients. 

""Thank you. 

"*ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND ON RECENT EFFORTS TO GUT AMERICORPS*

AmeriCorps is a federal government agency created over 30 years ago devoted to helping address poverty, improve the environment, and support education and student achievement with a mission to “improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.” Serve Wisconsin [ [link removed] ], which was created under former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, is Wisconsin’s AmeriCorps agency and state Board for National and Community Service, which administers federal AmeriCorps funding for organizations in communities across the state.

The Trump Administration’s abrupt funding cuts will force Serve Wisconsin to end services and programming at over 300 sites across Wisconsin, including schools, medical clinics, nonprofit organizations, and local government offices, among other key community partners. Many programs have been operating through AmeriCorps for over a decade. The impacts of the closure of these AmeriCorps programs would be felt both immediately and over the coming months by thousands of Wisconsin residents, as well as those currently serving.

The ending of the 25 AmeriCorps programs in Serve Wisconsin’s portfolio and the termination of additional AmeriCorps grants in Wisconsin will have negative economic, educational, public health, and other impacts on communities and people across our state. This will cause unexpected and unnecessary harm to numerous Wisconsin communities and organizations and to the hundreds of AmeriCorps members whose service is being cut short and will face incredible disruption to their financial stability and professional development.

According to Serve Wisconsin, if these grant terminations take effect, when thousands of students come to school, they will have lost the person tutoring them in literacy or math, leading classroom lessons, helping them to graduate high school and apply to college, or leading their after-school programs. Hundreds of people in recovery from substance abuse and addiction will have lost their recovery coaches, and thousands more people will be impacted by the loss of programming at health clinics and organizations throughout the state. Services and outreach provided to homeless and runaway youth will be greatly reduced, and hundreds of nonprofits across the state will have lost support in serving their communities.  

These are only a fraction of the loss of services that will be felt immediately, with many other service losses having their impact felt over the coming months. Thousands of kids and their families will experience the loss or reduction in summer programming, with many families dependent on these programs when school is not in session. Over a thousand individuals with disabilities and their families will experience a dramatically reduced ability to receive therapeutic recreation activities and respite care. Numerous planned conservation projects on public lands throughout the state will no longer be completed, impacting local agencies and the public at large.

The termination of grants and closure of programs without any prior notice will also have a detrimental impact on the AmeriCorps members serving in Wisconsin. They will be left suddenly without a living stipend and other benefits, such as healthcare, due to the termination of their program. Many members will be facing housing, food, health, and other financial emergencies as a result of losing their living stipends, which are likely their only source of income during their service. Additionally, the dedicated staff members who direct and manage these terminated AmeriCorps programs may also lose their employment, as the nonprofits and other organizations who host AmeriCorps programs will likely not be able to pay these staff now that their grants have been terminated.

  An online version of this release is available here [ [link removed] ]. ###

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