More than 20 years ago, a small city-based volunteer program run by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Catholic nuns who believe education is the most powerful tool in the fight against poverty, applied for an AmeriCorps grant from its parent agency, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). They had experience, know-how and deep passion for their cause, and had already placed a handful of volunteers at Baltimore-area Catholic schools. CNCS saw merit in the Sisters' mission and approach and gave them a grant, as well as ongoing professional guidance so that the Sisters could expand their reach.
Today, the Notre Dame Mission Volunteers-AmeriCorps program, for which I work as Baltimore site director, has expanded into 23 cities across the country and still serves Maryland children and adults. A powerful marriage of government resources and the faith-based community, it has now served over a half-million vulnerable adults, at-risk youth and children of incarcerated parents. Over 400 volunteers annually complete a year of service with the program.
If Congress passes the severe cuts to CNCS currently being considered, however, many communities across Maryland and elsewhere might see far fewer volunteers in their schools, their parks and their senior centers. This would be a terrible and needless shame; national service programs are some of the best examples of government supporting the organic efforts of American citizens to better the lives of those around them. The proposed cuts would reduce the CNCS budget by a third, slash AmeriCorps by 20 percent and completely eliminate the National Civilian Community Corps, which maintains a regional headquarters here in Maryland and is responsible for crucial activities like disaster relief.
Stories like the Sisters' — of local leaders greatly expanding their impact and effectiveness with the support of CNCS, which oversees a variety of programs including Senior Corps, Foster Grandparents and the National Civilian Community Corps — are familiar ones for those of us involved with the national service movement. This type of success, especially in a time of economic challenge, is testament to the wisdom of public-private partnership. Moreover, it's being achieved in a way that is sustainable and measurable. Each year, CNCS resources allow volunteers to mobilize in order to tackle our most pressing challenges: natural disasters, the effects of incarceration, lack of economic opportunity, homelessness, addiction and the needs of our nation's veterans, to name just a few. Since 2014, over 1,700 Marylanders have answered the call to serve in AmeriCorps, and 9,000 Maryland senior citizens currently serve in Senior Corps. Their presence allows Maryland nonprofits, which comprise almost 14 percent of our state's economy, to leverage over $9.4 million in other resources.
National service is also a profoundly transformative experience for volunteers. CNCS-funded volunteers, many of whom come from the communities being served, receive valuable professional experience during their time in service. Upon completion of their terms, they receive a financial education award that can be used to repay qualified student loans or to pay for other post-secondary education, including college degrees, professional certifications and vocational training. Teachers' aides become teachers. Mentor coordinators become social workers. Health volunteers become doctors. To date, CNCS has given over $67 million in such education awards to Marylanders.
Once a volunteer serves and they're exposed to the power of encountering others in service, the desire to serve never leaves. Three-fourths of Marylanders who complete a year of service continue to volunteer after their initial year ends. By serving communities of need while simultaneously augmenting the abilities and skill sets of its volunteers, CNCS acts as an economic engine for Maryland and the nation, all while helping good people to become great Americans.
CNCS funding should be restored and maintained at current levels. If we don't invest now, we will end up paying dearly in the long run without the mentors, teachers' aides, senior caregivers and disaster-responders that CNCS makes possible. I call on members of Congress to recognize that funding national and community service is more than just an investment in our economic future. It is the purest articulation of American values and a fundamental act of faith that we, our neighbors and our communities can meet the challenges that confront us.
Alexander Garcia is the chairman of the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism; his email is alexgarcia15@hotmail.com .