Barbara Moffat

In his inaugural address, President John F. Kennedy asked Americans what they could do for their country. Nearly 60 years later, thousands are answering that question by serving in AmeriCorps, a national service program administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Across Massachusetts, 2,400 AmeriCorps members are serving this year, addressing the commonwealth’s most pressing needs in the areas of education, health, workforce development, and the environment.

Established in 1993 with bipartisan support by the National and Community Service Trust Act, AmeriCorps has emerged as the leading domestic national service program in the United States. The program enables 75,000 members to serve annually, targeting the nation’s most pressing educational, public safety, health, and environmental needs. To date, one million members have served, and their impact across the nation and in Massachusetts is undeniable.

By Barbara Moffatand Emily Haber The Trump administration announced Feb. 12 that it plans to eliminate AmeriCorps, other related national service programs, and their parent organization, the federal Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).Established in 1993 with bipartisan support, AmeriCorps has emerged as the leading domestic national service program in the United States.