Rep. Cuellar: Victoria Glynn victoria.glynn@mail.house.gov
Rep. Castro: Erin Hatch Erin.Hatch@mail.house.gov
Rep. Doggett: Jaimie Woo Jaimie.Woo@mail.house.gov
Rep. Hurd: Rachel Holland Rachel.Holland@mail.house.gov

Today, a bipartisan group of 4 members of the San Antonio Congressional delegation, including Congressman Henry Cuellar, Congressman Joaquin Castro, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, and Congressman Will Hurd, announced more than $2 million for City Year San Antonio.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) awarded City Year San Antonio $1,403,600 for 116 AmeriCorps member positions, and $674,540 for Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards, for a total of $2,078,140 to support existing programs. City Year San Antonio will use the funds to provide academic support to students from 7 San Antonio and 3 Dallas public schools, and to help the AmeriCorps members on their staff to afford post-secondary education, in exchange for their community service.

The four members of San Antonio’s Congressional delegation, as well as City Year San Antonio’s Executive Director Kelly Hughes Burton, reacted to the news:

Congressman Henry Cuellar: “Education is not only one of the greatest gifts we can give our children – it also benefits the economy and society. Programs like City Year inspire our youth to finish their education and prepare them for the jobs of the future. Because of these grants, the students at seven public schools in San Antonio will have access to the academic support they need to excel. That’s good for them and our entire community here in Texas.”

Congressman Joaquin Castro: “Through service, young people not only better our community, they also expand their own horizons and gain personal fulfillment. With these significant AmeriCorps grants, hundreds of San Antonians will have new opportunities to further their education and develop new skills – all while helping their fellow Texans. I’m glad to see these investments being made in our city’s future workers and leaders.”

Congressman Will Hurd: “City Year San Antonio plays a tremendous role in the local community by equipping at-risk young people with training and support to complete their education and enter the work force. Their efforts have put many students on track and changed lives, both academically and behaviorally, which is why I’m proud to be a member of the AmeriCorps Caucus in Congress. I am confident this grant funding will only further the organization’s impact in the San Antonio community.” 

Congressman Lloyd Doggett: “I have seen firsthand the difference these young people are making in our schools. City Year often leads to a lifetime of community service. But President Trump, through his dangerous budget, would terminate this success and similar initiatives across America. To continue serving San Antonio, we must resist.”

Kelly Hughes Burton, Executive Director of City Year San Antonio: "We are grateful that Congress approved a fiscal year 2017 omnibus appropriations bill, legislation that invests in AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Thanks to this support, City Year's 2017-18 AmeriCorps grant was renewed, and this upcoming academic year, we will place 89 AmeriCorps members in seven local schools, providing students with the academic and social-emotional support they need to succeed in school and in life."

The AmeriCorps grant of $674,540 is the same as the previous year’s funding level. However, the CNCS award is $52 million lower than last year. President Trump’s proposed budget for the 2018 fiscal year, if adopted, would eliminate the CNCS and AmeriCorps entirely.

City Year San Antonio is an education nonprofit that helps students stay in school and on track to graduate from high school, ready for college and career success. Since 1995, they have deployed nearly 1,500 AmeriCorps members to high-need schools in the San Antonio Independent School District to work full-time, providing integrated, evidence-based support to the right students at the right time. Last year, City Year San Antonio provided one-on-one, small group and whole school support to over 6,000 students. Over 90% of teachers in partner City Year San Antonio schools agreed that City Year AmeriCorps members helped improve the overall academic performance of their students.

AmeriCorps is a federal government program whose members work in non-profit organizations, serving their communities in exchange for a small stipend and assistance with affording higher education.