U.S. Mayors Endorse Employers of National Service Initiative
Unanimous resolution from U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages city leaders to open job opportunities to AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni
INDIANAPOLIS – In another sign of the growing support for national service, the United States Conference of Mayors today unanimously passed a resolution endorsing Employers of National Service, an initiative that recognizes the unique skills and experience AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni bring to the workforce, and encourages public and private sector employers to expand the job opportunities available to those who have served.
The resolution passed this morning at the organization’s 84th annual meeting in Indianapolis. The effort, led by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, recognizes national service programs, such as AmeriCorps and Peace Corps, as a talent pipeline for dedicated, valuable employees and urges cities and municipalities to hire national service alumni.
“We are thrilled by this strong, bipartisan endorsement of the Employers of National Service Initiative from the U.S. Conference of Mayors,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that administers AmeriCorps. “Just like mayors, AmeriCorps members are leaders who get things done, working hard every day to make their cities better places to live and work. With today’s endorsement, U.S. cities are making a smart move to attract these talented, dedicated, and experienced leaders to the municipal workforce.”
“Alumni of our service corps are highly qualified leaders with experience addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our nation and world today,” Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said. “Returned Peace Corps volunteers have so much to contribute to the workplace and we’re thrilled to see Mayor Walsh and the city of Boston recognize these valuable skills.”
In support of the resolution, Mayor Walsh, announced today that the City of Boston has signed on as an Employer of National Service. Boston joins 13 cities that have previously committed to hiring AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni. These include Anchorage, Ak.; Kansas City, Mo.; Nashville, Tenn.; Newton, Mass.; New York City, N.Y.; Philadelphia, Penn.; South Sioux City, Neb.; and Avondale, Flagstaff, Mesa, Phoenix, Tempe, and Tucson, Ariz.
“Boston has a long history of embracing the tremendous value of national service. We know it plays a vital role in connecting passionate individuals with the skills to bring positive change to their communities,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “We’ve seen the impact that our national service members have had on our city, and we are thrilled to sign on as an Employer of National Service. Whether you helped start a library in Western Africa through the Peace Corps, spent time in a classroom with City Year, or served in one of thousands of AmeriCorps programs around the country, Boston wants you on our team. We challenge all cities to join as Employers of National Service and increase their capacity to take on the most important issues of tomorrow.”
Announced by President Obama at the White House in September 2014 as part of the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps, Employers of National Service builds a talent pipeline which connects AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni with leading employers.
Since the President’s launch of the initiative in 2014, more than 350 companies, nonprofits, and public agencies have signed on as Employers of National Service including Disney, Comcast, NBC Universal, Delta Air Lines, MasterCard, CSX, Sodexo, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, United Way Worldwide, the American Red Cross, the National Science Foundation, the states of Montana and Virginia, NASA, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of State.
The resolution builds on the success of the Mayor and County Recognition Day for National Service that took place on April 5, 2016. On that day, 3,539 mayors, county officials, and tribal leaders from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico joined together in a bipartisan show of support for AmeriCorps and Senior Corps. Together, these mayors, county, and tribal leaders represent more than 178 million citizens, or one-third of all Americans.
Since 1994, 980,000 AmeriCorps members have given more than 1.3 billion hours of service to their country, earning more than $3 billion in education scholarships. Later this year, the one millionth AmeriCorps member will take the AmeriCorps pledge, committing to "get things done" for America. AmeriCorps members serve communities across the country through organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, City Year, Teach For America, and the American Red Cross.