Trump cuts to AmeriCorps to affect hundreds of Wisconsin sites

MADISON, WI—(WGBW)— Cuts to the AmeriCorps Agency made by the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) mean dozens of projects throughout the state of Wisconsin will be stopped. Additionally, over 400 AmeriCorps members, who have been working on issues such as literacy, homelessness, and healthcare, have been told to pack up. They are done.

While Republicans in Congress may be fine staying silent as the Trump Administration unilaterally tries to cut federal funding approved by Congress, I will not. We’re going to sue to stop them.

Governor Tony Evers

Governor Tony Evers said in a news release Tuesday that Wisconsin will join a multi-state lawsuit challenging the cuts made by the Trump administration. Evers slammed the Trump Administration for the abrupt cuts to AmeriCorps affecting Serve Wisconsin, terminating dozens of programs and ending services at over 300 sites across Wisconsin. The loss of services at those sites will cut literacy and math tutors for kids, recovery services for Wisconsinites working to overcome addiction and substance misuse, and support for homeless youth. They will stop high-priority conservation projects and other critical programs. 

“Once again, the Trump Administration is trying to cut federal funding that Congress already approved and Wisconsin is counting on to help kids, families, and communities across our state—all so they can pay for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires,” said Gov. Evers. “These latest reckless Trump and Musk cuts will hurt Wisconsin’s kids who are homeless or who need tutors for math and reading, folks who are working to overcome addiction and substance use, stop work on conservation projects, as well as all of the dedicated public servants whose livelihoods are depending on this work. While Republicans in Congress may be fine staying silent as the Trump Administration unilaterally tries to cut federal funding approved by Congress, I will not. We’re going to sue to stop them.”

The cuts will affect services in more than half of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. And will end the 25 AmeriCorps programs in Serve Wisconsin’s portfolio and terminate additional AmeriCorps grants in Wisconsin, negatively impacting the economic, educational, and public health of communities and individuals across our state. 

“We were appalled by the immediate and illegal termination of the federal grants for all 25 of the AmeriCorps programs and Volunteer Generation Fund Grants whose funds are administered by Serve Wisconsin without any warning, causing incredible upheaval for programs and AmeriCorps members serving at hundreds of sites across Wisconsin,” said Jeanne Duffy, Executive Director for Serve Wisconsin. “The sudden and unnecessary loss of services will have detrimental impacts for thousands of students finishing the school year, as well as people in recovery from substance addiction, homeless youth, individuals with disabilities, people accessing services at health clinics, and those served by hundreds of nonprofit organizations throughout Wisconsin. Additionally, thousands of kids and families may be impacted by the loss of planned summer programming. These terminations are also causing dramatic upheaval in the lives of the hundreds of AmeriCorps members that had dedicated a year of their life to service, losing access to their living allowance that may have been their only source of income and facing immediate financial crises around paying for housing and living expenses.”

AmeriCorps is a federal agency, created 30 years ago by then-President Bill Clinton.

A list of impacted AmeriCorps programs through Serve Wisconsin is available here.  

Below is a non-exhaustive list of some of the region-specific impacts Wisconsinites will experience due to the Trump Administration’s cuts to AmeriCorps.

AmeriCorps Cuts in Wisconsin by Region

DANE, COLUMBIA, ROCK COUNTIES 

The termination of AmeriCorps grants would cause the closure of the following AmeriCorps programs based in Dane, Columbia, and Rock counties: 

Dane County Department of Human Services Partners for After School Success AmeriCorps members are placed in predominately low-income or resource-scarce communities to enhance the academic achievement and school engagement of middle and high school youth through positive relationships, academic coaching and tutoring, extended learning programs, and volunteer service.

Easterseals Wisconsin AmeriCorps members provide intensive personal care and lead or facilitate therapeutic recreation activities for individuals with disabilities and their families at Camp Wawbeek and Respite Camp. AmeriCorps members also provide therapeutic recreation activities at Veteran Family Camps for veterans and their families.

United Way of Dane County – Achievement Connections AmeriCorps members tutor high school students in math and leverage additional volunteers to provide tutoring to increase the number of students who pass algebra by 10th grade.

United Way of Dane County – Schools of Hope AmeriCorps Project AmeriCorps members serve as literacy tutors and tutor coordinators in high-need elementary schools, working with staff to increase students’ literacy skills in kindergarten through fifth grade. 

Additionally, the termination of AmeriCorps grants would cause the ending of service by AmeriCorps members with the following statewide programs in Dane, Columbia, and Rock counties: 

Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Community Corps AmeriCorps members are placed in nonprofits and public health organizations across the state to increase their capacity to address local health needs. 

Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services AmeriCorps members meet the immediate needs of youth experiencing homelessness in their community by connecting them with supportive services, shelter, and basic needs. Activities include outreach, shelter support, crisis management, and response to community referrals. 

Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics AmeriCorps members help build capacity and support free and charitable clinics and community health departments throughout Wisconsin. Through this program, members increase access to healthcare services to low-income and uninsured patients by creating new resources, programs, and opportunities in their communities. 

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Farm to School AmeriCorps members build healthy communities by improving child nutrition through educational farm-to-school activities for students and families, connecting schools with local farmers and food businesses, and increasing the capacity of communities to support sustainable programs to encourage healthy behaviors and improve the school food environment. 

MILWAUKEE, RACINE, KENOSHA, AND WAUKESHA COUNTIES

The termination of AmeriCorps grants would cause the closure of the following AmeriCorps programs based in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and Waukesha counties: 

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee – ClubCorps AmeriCorps members provide youth with in-school or after-school academic enrichment, early literacy instruction, college preparation and career readiness programming, arts programming, social-emotional instruction, community service programming, and after-school sports programming at local Boys and Girls Clubs and environmental education activities at Camp Whitcomb/Mason.

College Possible Milwaukee AmeriCorps members provide intensive coaching and support to low-income high school and college students in order to make college admission and success possible. AmeriCorps members serve high school students from 13 high schools in Milwaukee and one high school in Stevens Point. After high school graduation, AmeriCorps members continue providing support to program participants through college graduation, no matter which school they attend. 

LibraryCorps AmeriCorps members increase K-12 student access to library resources and literacy-based activities by teaching information and technology literacy-based lessons at schools during the day and providing after-school programming and support at Milwaukee Public Library branches. In the summer, they provide summer outreach reading programs. 

Marquette University – 414 Fellows AmeriCorps members engage kids ages 0-3 in one-on-one language-building activities to increase school readiness through gains in language skills.

Milwaukee Christian Center Inc. – YouthBuild  AmeriCorps members make a tangible impact on their community through the construction of affordable, energy-efficient housing and accessible home modifications while gaining job and leadership skills, improving their education, and developing their community through service. 

Milwaukee Justice Center – MJC AmeriCorps AmeriCorps members provide information and assistance to members of the public accessing the Milwaukee County Courthouse by providing information and helping individuals navigate the processes of filing documents at the courthouse. 

Public Allies Wisconsin AmeriCorps members work to enhance and expand the capacity of nonprofit organizations to deliver critical direct services to Wisconsin residents, primarily in Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha. 

Racine Zoo AmeriCorps Program AmeriCorps members provide environmental education programming to elementary, middle school, and high school students to reinforce the grade-level science curriculum through inquiry and research activities, environmental presentations, and programming for participating classes at the zoo.

Teach For America Milwaukee  AmeriCorps members lead classrooms across the city of Milwaukee while growing and strengthening the movement for educational equality and excellence. 

Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics AmeriCorps members will help build capacity and support free and charitable clinics and community health departments throughout Wisconsin. Through this program, members increase access to healthcare services to low-income and uninsured patients by creating new resources, programs, and opportunities in their communities. 

Additionally, the termination of AmeriCorps grants would cause the ending of service by AmeriCorps members with the following statewide programs in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and Waukesha counties: 

Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Community Corps AmeriCorps members are placed in nonprofits and public health organizations across the state to increase their capacity to address local health needs. 

University of Wisconsin System – Wisconsin 4-H Expanding Access AmeriCorps members are placed throughout the state in partnership with county-based youth development professionals to design and implement community-based, highly effective, and evidenced-based youth development programming to assist youth in underrepresented and underserved communities.

Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services AmeriCorps members meet the immediate needs of youth experiencing homelessness in their community by connecting them with supportive services, shelter, and basic needs. Activities include outreach, shelter support, crisis management, and response to community referrals. 

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Farm to School AmeriCorps members build healthy communities by improving child nutrition through educational farm-to-school activities for students and families, connecting schools with local farmers and food businesses, and increasing the capacity of communities to support sustainable programs to encourage healthy behaviors and improve the school food environment.

Wisconsin Math Corps AmeriCorps members engage students in kindergarten through eighth grade in an academic intervention model to help them build their math skills to become algebra-ready by the conclusion of eighth grade. 

WisCorps  AmeriCorps members complete high-priority conservation projects across the state of Wisconsin and facilitate environmental education programming. Conservation crew members will improve public land, manage habitats, build or maintain trails, plant trees, and complete other projects. Additional WisCorps members engage students and the public in environmental education and support conservation efforts at Wisconsin nonprofit organizations. 

SHEBOYGAN, WASHINGTON, AND OZAUKEE COUNTIES 

The termination of AmeriCorps grants would cause the ending of service by AmeriCorps members with the following statewide programs in Washington, Ozaukee, and Sheboygan counties: 

Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Community Corps  AmeriCorps members are placed in nonprofits and public health organizations across the state to increase their capacity to address local health needs. 

University of Wisconsin System – Wisconsin 4-H Expanding Access AmeriCorps members are placed throughout the state in partnership with county-based youth development professionals to design and implement community-based, highly effective, and evidenced-based youth development programming to assist youth in underrepresented and underserved communities. 

Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services AmeriCorps members meet the immediate needs of youth experiencing homelessness in their community by connecting them with supportive services, shelter, and basic needs. Activities include outreach, shelter support, crisis management, and response to community referrals. 

Wisconsin Math Corps AmeriCorps members engage students in kindergarten through eighth grade in an academic intervention model to help them build their math skills to become algebra-ready by the conclusion of eighth grade. 

WisCorps AmeriCorps members complete high-priority conservation projects across the state of Wisconsin and facilitate environmental education programming. Conservation crew members will improve public land, manage habitats, build or maintain trails, plant trees, and complete other projects. Additional WisCorps members engage students and the public in environmental education and support conservation efforts at Wisconsin nonprofit organizations. 

BROWN, OUTAGAMIE, CALUMET, AND WINNEBAGO COUNTIES 

The termination of AmeriCorps grants would cause the closure of the following AmeriCorps programs based in Green Bay and the Fox Cities: 

Green Bay Conservation Corps AmeriCorps members complete conservation projects and engage the public in educational programming and volunteer service. Members will address areas such as habitat restoration and preservation, trail maintenance and expansion, invasive species removal, and native plant establishment, community garden upkeep, and access improvements in Green Bay’s parks and other outdoor spaces. 

United Way Fox Cities – Be Well Fox Valley AmeriCorps members provide capacity-building services to improve health and well-being and address social determinants of health at nonprofit organizations and public agencies throughout Calumet, Outagamie, Winnebago, and neighboring Wisconsin counties. 

The termination of AmeriCorps grants would cause the closure of the following AmeriCorps programs based in Green Bay, the Fox Cities, and northeastern Wisconsin: 

Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Community Corps AmeriCorps members are placed in nonprofits and public health organizations across the state to increase their capacity to address local health needs. 

Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Recovery Corps AmeriCorps members are trained as recovery coaches to help people recover from opioid and other substance addiction and provide community education about substance use disorders and recovery resources. 

University of Wisconsin System – Wisconsin 4-H Expanding Access AmeriCorps members are placed throughout the state in partnership with county-based youth development professionals to design and implement community-based, highly effective, and evidenced-based youth development programming to assist youth in underrepresented and underserved communities. 

Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services AmeriCorps members meet the immediate needs of youth experiencing homelessness in their community by connecting them with supportive services, shelter, and basic needs. Activities include outreach, shelter support, crisis management, and response to community referrals. 

Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics AmeriCorps members will help build capacity and support free and charitable clinics and community health departments throughout Wisconsin. Through this program, members increase access to healthcare services to low-income and uninsured patients by creating new resources, programs, and opportunities in their communities. 

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Farm to School  AmeriCorps members build healthy communities by improving child nutrition through educational farm-to-school activities for students and families, connecting schools with local farmers and food businesses, and increasing the capacity of communities to support sustainable programs to encourage healthy behaviors and improve the school food environment. 

WisCorps AmeriCorps members complete high-priority conservation projects across the state of Wisconsin and facilitate environmental education programming. Conservation crew members will improve public land, manage habitats, build or maintain trails, plant trees, and complete other projects. Additional WisCorps members engage students and the public in environmental education and support conservation efforts at Wisconsin nonprofit organizations. 

EAU CLAIRE AND LA CROSSE COUNTIES 

The termination of AmeriCorps grants would cause the closure of the following AmeriCorps programs based in Eau Claire County: 

UW-Eau Claire ECLIPSE AmeriCorps members provide one-on-one interventions to 3-5-year-old kids at risk and/or from low-income families to help them grow in the areas of language, literacy, social interaction, and initiative skills. 

Western Dairyland EOC Inc. – Fresh Start AmeriCorps members construct new homes for income-eligible families in the local community while working on achieving high school diplomas/HSEDs, developing career goals, improving self-esteem, and alleviating barriers to economic self-sufficiency. 

Additionally, the termination of AmeriCorps grants would cause the ending of service by AmeriCorps members with the following statewide programs in Eau Claire County:

Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Community Corps AmeriCorps members are placed in nonprofits and public health organizations across the state to increase their capacity to address local health needs. 

Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Recovery Corps AmeriCorps members are trained as recovery coaches to help people recover from opioid and other substance addiction and provide community education about substance use disorders and recovery resources. 

University of Wisconsin System – Wisconsin 4-H Expanding Access AmeriCorps members are placed throughout the state in partnership with county-based youth development professionals to design and implement community-based, highly effective, and evidenced-based youth development programming to assist youth in underrepresented and underserved communities. 

The termination of AmeriCorps grants would cause the closure of the following AmeriCorps programs based in La Crosse County:

WisCorps AmeriCorps members complete high-priority conservation projects across the state of Wisconsin and facilitate environmental education programming. Conservation crew members will improve public land, manage habitats, build or maintain trails, plant trees, and complete other projects. Additional WisCorps members engage students and the public in environmental education and support conservation efforts at Wisconsin nonprofit organizations. 

Additionally, the termination of AmeriCorps grants would cause the ending of service by AmeriCorps members with the following statewide programs in La Crosse County and across western Wisconsin:  

Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Community Corps AmeriCorps members are placed in nonprofits and public health organizations across the state to increase their capacity to address local health needs.

Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Recovery Corps AmeriCorps members are trained as recovery coaches to help people recover from opioid and other substance addiction and provide community education about substance use disorders and recovery resources. 

University of Wisconsin System – Wisconsin 4-H Expanding Access AmeriCorps members are placed throughout the state in partnership with county-based youth development professionals to design and implement community-based, highly effective, and evidenced-based youth development programming to assist youth in underrepresented and underserved communities. 

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Farm to School     AmeriCorps members build healthy communities by improving child nutrition through educational farm-to-school activities for students and families, connecting schools with local farmers and food businesses, and increasing the capacity of communities to support sustainable programs to encourage healthy behaviors and improve the school food environment. 

NORTHERN AND NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN 

The termination of AmeriCorps grants would cause the ending of service by AmeriCorps members with the following statewide programs in Portage and Wood Counties: 

College Possible Milwaukee AmeriCorps members provide intensive coaching and support to low-income high school and college students in order to make college admission and success possible. AmeriCorps members serve high school students from 13 high schools in Milwaukee and one high school in Stevens Point. After high school graduation, AmeriCorps members continue providing support to program participants through college graduation, no matter which school they attend. 

Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Community Corps AmeriCorps members are placed in nonprofits and public health organizations across the state to increase their capacity to address local health needs. 

Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Recovery Corps    AmeriCorps members are trained as recovery coaches to help people recover from opioid and other substance addiction and provide community education about substance use disorders and recovery resources. 

The termination of AmeriCorps grants would cause the ending of service by AmeriCorps members with the following statewide programs across northern Wisconsin:  

Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Community Corps AmeriCorps members are placed in nonprofits and public health organizations across the state to increase their capacity to address local health needs.   

Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Recovery Corps  AmeriCorps members are trained as recovery coaches to help people recover from opioid and other substance addiction and provide community education about substance use disorders and recovery resources.   

University of Wisconsin System – Wisconsin 4-H Expanding Access  AmeriCorps members are placed throughout the state in partnership with county-based youth development professionals to design and implement community-based, highly effective, and evidenced-based youth development programming to assist youth in underrepresented and underserved communities. 

Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics AmeriCorps members help build capacity and support free and charitable clinics and community health departments throughout Wisconsin. Through this program, members increase access to healthcare services to low-income and uninsured patients by creating new resources, programs, and opportunities in their communities. 

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Farm to School AmeriCorps members build healthy communities by improving child nutrition through educational farm-to-school activities for students and families, connecting schools with local farmers and food businesses, and increasing the capacity of communities to support sustainable programs to encourage healthy behaviors and improve the school food environment. 

WisCorps AmeriCorps members complete high-priority conservation projects across the state of Wisconsin and facilitate environmental education programming. Conservation crew members will improve public land, manage habitats, build or maintain trails, plant trees, and complete other projects. Additional WisCorps members engage students and the public in environmental education and support conservation efforts at Wisconsin nonprofit organizations. 

Read the full press release from Gov. Tony Evers’ office here.