Each year, more than 170,000 older Americans make time to serve in their communities through one of several AmeriCorps Seniors programs. 

AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparents dust off their books and turn on their tablets to help young students succeed

For more than two centuries, America has called on us to unite through service

This month we mark America’s birthday. As Americans celebrate the Fourth of July, it is a good time to consider what’s at our core as a country, and how can we strengthen the spirt of service we hold dear.

This vision of service for the greater good is core to who we are as a nation. When we serve, with honor and in unity, we bring out the best of America—and find solutions to many of today’s biggest challenges.

Yesterday was Veterans Day, an annual opportunity to express our gratitude to the courageous men and women in uniform who have given so much to our nation. Our veterans know the meaning of service, sacrifice, and camaraderie, and their experiences enrich the lives of their communities long after they leave the armed forces. Many veterans choose to continue to give back: often to their communities, but sometimes to each other, as well.

For decades, our agency has engaged people of all ages and backgrounds in getting things done - improving lives, strengthening communities, and expanding opportunity. Today, service is needed more than ever. To meet current and future challenges, it is essential that more individuals know how they can serve their communities and country. But all too often, the public doesn’t know what national service is, the benefits, or how to get involved. That’s why we are taking steps to increase awareness and ensure more people know about opportunities to serve. 

Despite the obstacles presented by COVID-19, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs across the country have acted quickly and creatively to continue their critical work in new ways, or to pivot to meet emerging needs.

Since the start of the national emergency, more than 8,500 AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers have served in direct response to COVID-19. Collectively, these national service members have:

Despite the obstacles presented by COVID-19, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs across the country have acted quickly and creatively to continue their critical work in new ways, or to pivot to meet emerging needs.

Since the start of the national emergency, more than 6,275 AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers have served in direct response to COVID-19. Collectively, these national service members have:

At the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), we are also asking the question, “What does volunteerism look like in the time of coronavirus?”

For all of us who want to help our local communities, operating during a pandemic is new territory. How can we continue to meet community needs when health and safety calls for us to be apart?

I’d like to share some examples of how different Senior Corps organizations are finding the light in this difficult time. Thank you for all you do.