LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – “We found out 6 p.m. the day before, they were not allowed to come back. That they would not be coming back, so we did not have advance notice that especially of any specific dates that our AmeriCorps members would not be with us anymore,” said Ethan Schmitt, Volunteer Coordinator with the Allen Neighborhood Center.
The center is dealing with the sudden dismissal of their AmeriCorps volunteers who helped with the non-profit’s daily operations.
AmeriCorps helps people across the US take part in meaningful community-based service. Every year, AmeriCorps provides volunteer opportunities to over 200,000 Americans to serve communities like the Allen neighborhood. The non-profit says there are always plans in place when volunteers leave their duties with the center. However, a stop-work order caught them off guard.
For the past 26 years, the Allen Neighborhood Center and AmeriCorps have had a long-standing relationship.
“Our board president was a former AmeriCorps member, our associate director was an AmeriCorps member, both of our garden house members worked with AmeriCorps, our veggie box manager worked for AmeriCorps,” said Schmitt.
Schmitt says the non-profit was devastated when the Michigan Community Service Commission issued a stop-work order due to funding cuts from the Trump administration, losing AmeriCorps volunteers for its food pantry, farmers market, veggie box, and Hunter Park GardenHouse, which all look to fight food insecurity.
“I can’t speak enough to how helpful and how incredible they’ve been these past six months. Making the operation of the urban farm work. Helping form relationships with the neighbors who are coming in to receive food. Helping train volunteers who were also helping with that program. Making the operation of the urban garden work,” said Schmitt.
Former AmeriCorps volunteer, now GardenHouse manager, Hillary Coleman says her time in AmeriCorps helped her realize her potential. She says she hates that the opportunity is being taken away from others.
“Some people don’t know what they’re going to do as a career path, and I think serving in Lansing and these different host sites helps people figure out exactly what they want to do,” said Coleman.
The order is dismissing volunteers who are gaining skills for their futures while improving the lives of residents in communities they grow to call home.
“They weren’t even from the Lansing area, so to see them fall in love with the area is a beautiful thing,” said Coleman.
“It’s important to remember, we’re people-centered in what we do and that we not forget about the human cost of decisions that are made or not made,” said Schmitt
The Allen Neighborhood Center says this decision will have negative impacts on both its team and programming. They’re seeking solutions as some key volunteers have been cut as they enter their busiest time of year.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined 24 other states in a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s termination of AmeriCorps, arguing that President Trump does not have the authority under the U.S. Constitution to gut AmeriCorps, which was created by Congress.
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