AmeriCorps Cuts Hit West Virginia Hard: Over 200 Service Positions Eliminated, Devastating Local Nonprofits
West Virginia – A wave of AmeriCorps job cuts is sweeping across West Virginia, with Volunteer WV confirming the elimination of over 200 positions. This news follows earlier reports and an anonymously circulated list detailing the extent of the reductions, which are sending shockwaves through the state's non-profit sector.
The cuts, which stem from a reported $400 million nationwide reduction in AmeriCorps grants ordered by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), represent a significant blow – over 40% of the AmeriCorps budget.
For West Virginia, this translates to a substantial loss of vital community services. High Rocks, an organization dedicated to youth education and leadership in Pocahontas County, is among the hardest hit, losing 69 positions. Other organizations facing significant staff reductions include the WV Youth Promise Alliance (41 positions), Preservation Alliance of WV (25), and Tygart Valley United Way (22), among others.
The more than 2,900 AmeriCorps members in West Virginia contribute an estimated $21 million to the state's economy annually. Their work spans critical areas like foster grandparent programs, historic preservation, community development, conservation efforts, and educational support. While these positions offer minimum-wage salaries, they provide invaluable experience for young people and deliver services that community leaders say would otherwise be unavailable.
Sarah Riley, Executive Director of High Rocks, which evolved from a summer camp into a regional leader in youth empowerment, expressed dismay and confusion. "There does not seem to be any rhyme or reason to the cuts," she said, noting that AmeriCorps members at High Rocks contribute a combined 70,000 hours of service each year. For many, their last day of service has already passed, pending unlikely reversals from legal challenges or future grant reviews.
Attempts by RealWV to get comments from Volunteer WV and Senator Shelley Moore Capito's office were reportedly unsuccessful as of the initial report. The long-term impact of these cuts on West Virginia's communities remains a developing story.
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