On Monday, VPM reported that the Trump administration has eliminated funding for at least 16 community service programs across Virginia. These cuts affect nonprofits, organizations, and school-based initiatives providing children access to essential care and educational opportunities. Attorney General Jason Miyares refused to join a coalition of 24 other states in suing the Trump administration for effectively dismantling AmeriCorps and gutting these programs without notice.

This comes as Trump also threatens to eliminate Head Start, a program that supports thousands of Virginia families and educators with early childhood education and child care resources, among other vital services.

“As a former educator, I know firsthand that students and teachers rely on every resource available to succeed, and as a parent, I know how critical these programs are for our children’s growth,” said DPVA Chairman Lamont Bagby. “It’s shameful that Glenn Youngkin, Winsome Earle-Sears, and Jason Miyares continue to support these harmful cuts that directly impact our kids, educators, and working families. Virginians deserve leaders who will fight to protect these vital services, not stand by while they’re dismantled.”

VPM: Trump’s AmeriCorps cuts end Virginia community service grants

By: Dean Mirshahi

• “President Donald Trump’s administration ended grants for at least 16 community service programs in Virginia as part of sweeping AmeriCorps funding cuts, abruptly shutting down projects and forcing layoffs.”
• “The move pulled back funding used to plan and operate community service programs throughout Virginia, mostly in education and health care. Grant money went to nonprofits, organizations, schools and the City of Richmond.”
• “Program directors and organization heads told VPM News the sudden cuts left them hurt, confused and scrambling to find answers. They shared stories of job losses, but said their biggest concern was the loss of critical services for the community — especially those aimed at children.”
• “Along with providing these grants, AmeriCorps places people known as ‘members’ to do service work on projects and in programs across the country. The grant cuts affected ‘more than 155 AmeriCorps State and National and AmeriCorps VISTA members,’ according to the Virginia Department of Social Services.”
• “[...] Mary Dunne Stewart, president and CEO of Richmond nonprofit Fit4Kids, said the sudden cut to her organization’s planning grant is unlike anything she’s experienced. Dunne Stewart told VPM News the termination notice came minutes before she got an email about a new AmeriCorps grant contract.”
• “[...] In Arlington, Aspire Afterschool Learning offers after-school and summer academic support for students between third and eighth grades. It was awarded a grant so 17 AmeriCorps members, each making about $30,000 a year, could work with students.”
• “Paula Fynboh, Aspire’s executive director, said the organization works with ‘historically underserved children’ who often are behind in reading and math. She said the work has helped students improve their test scores.”
• “She said there was ‘no rhyme or reason’ to cut the grant, which was expected to last until mid-August.”
• “[...] Another terminated grant allowed 25 AmeriCorps members in Southwest Virginia to work with about 450 students in the City of Galax and Carroll, Patrick, Radford and Smyth counties.”
• “The members were tutors, after-school program aides and community support workers who served “some of the most financially challenged communities in the region,” current and past directors of the program said in a joint statement.”
• “‘This is more than the loss of a program; it is the loss of opportunity, of hope, and of essential support for our most vulnerable students,’ they said. ‘For our communities, the path to recovery will be difficult.’”