White House Releases FY 2011 Budget
President calls national service "central to addressing our Nation's greatest challenges"

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On February 1, 2010, President Obama released his Administration's budget for fiscal year 2011, including $1.416 billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).  This is an increase of $266 million or 23.1% above the FY 2010 enacted level.

According to the White House budget:

The President believes that service is central to addressing our Nation’s greatest challenges. The Corporation for National and Community Service provides an on-ramp for Americans of all ages to serve their community and country in sustained and effective ways throughout their lives, from tutoring at-risk youth to responding to natural disasters to building the capacity of community organizations. The President also believes that many of the best solutions to America’s challenges can be found outside of Washington, in communities across the country.

At a time of mounting social needs and renewed interest in citizen service, Voices for National Service is grateful that national service remains a high priority for President Obama and his Administration. The President’s budget request – the largest in the agency’s history – will expand the number of national service positions, invest in innovative nonprofits, and strengthen the management capacity of the Corporation.

• Click here for more information about the President’s FY 2011 budget.

Statement from Voices for National Service on Passage of Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010

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Voices for National Service is pleased that both the House and Senate have completed action on the fiscal year 2010 appropriations for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). The Consolidated Appropriations Act – or Omnibus – was approved by the Senate over the weekend, and the bill includes $1.149 billion for CNCS, fully funding President Obama's request.

Back in March 2009, Congress passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, legislation that builds on service as a strategy to meet specific national challenges such as addressing the dropout crisis and strengthening our schools; improving energy efficiency; safeguarding the environment; improving health care and expanding economic opportunity in low-income communities; and preparing for and responding to disasters and emergencies. The funding levels included in the FY10 Omnibus will allow CNCS to strengthen and expand existing programs and invest in new initiatives as authorized in the Act. Following Senate approval on December 13, the appropriations bill was sent to the President for his final approval and signature.

Voices for National Service thanks Congressional leaders and our partners for all their hard work that resulted in the largest appropriation in CNCS history. At a time of mounting social needs and renewed interest in citizen service, this is a wise utilization of resources that will net a high return for our nation.

• Click here for a press release from the Corporation for National and Community Service on Congressional approval of the agency's FY 2010 budget.

• Click here for more information.

On November 16, 2009, the Center for American Progress released “National Service and Youth Unemployment: Strategies for Job Creation Amid Economic Recovery,” a collaboration by Melissa Boteach, Joy Moses, and Shirley Sagawa.  The memo details youth unemployment in the current economic climate and describes how national service can contribute to reducing these numbers as well as play a part in creating jobs.

• Click here to read “National Service and Youth Unemployment” from the Center for American Progress.

• Click here to read an opinion piece by John Podesta, president of the Center for American Progress and former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, on the role for national service in helping our national recover.

Statement from Voices for National Service on the Intent to Nominate Patrick Corvington, CEO, Corporation for National and Community Service

Voices for National Service applauds the nomination of Patrick Corvington as the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. We encourage Congress to move expeditiously to confirm his nomination.

Patrick brings a unique set of skills and expertise that are right for these times. His expertise in nonprofit leadership and capacity-building, evaluation and performance measurement, and systems reform will be helpful to a field poised for major growth with high expectations for results. Patrick's relationships with grassroots organizations, national nonprofits and foundations, social entrepreneurs and systems reformers will bring many new partners to national service and expand service and innovation as solutions to community needs.

The national service field supports the President's nomination and looks forward to working with him to implement the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and grow national service, volunteer service, and social innovation to scale.

• Click here to read the White House press release announcing the intent to nominate Patrick Corvington as CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

• Click here to read the press release from the Corporation for National and Community Service on President Obama’s intent to nominate Patrick Corvington as CEO.

• Click here to read a letter in support of Patrick Corvington’s nomination, which was sent to Senate leadership on January 15, 2010.  The joint letter was organized by Voices for National Service, ServiceNation, and America Forward and signed by 173 service and volunteer organizations.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, 1932-2009
Statement on a Life of Service

Our country and our world have lost a giant today.  Senator Edward M. Kennedy's extraordinary life touched us all in so many important ways. As a Senator, his incomparable commitment to service and justice led to some of the most sweeping legislation of our time.  His was a life of service; he was the voice of the voiceless and never forgot the daily struggles of ordinary Americans. His humanity and his idealism were at the heart of everything he did, and he was a tremendous champion for the national service movement. In April, President Obama signed into law the largest expansion of national service since the New Deal, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which was appropriately named for Senator Kennedy at the recommendation of his friend and colleague, Senator Orrin Hatch.  We are deeply grateful for Senator Kennedy's leadership, his vision for a more just world and his belief in the power of the human spirit. Our hearts are with his family and friends today.  We will miss him.
		Photos by M. T. Harmon, Office of Public Affairs, Corporation for National and Community Service; and Office of Senator Edward M. Kennedy (via kennedy.senate.gov)

		On April 21, 2009, President Obama signed into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which will dramatically expand national service opportunities to address America's most pressing challenges. At the signing ceremony, the President drew significant attention to one of the bill's architects, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), highlighting the long-standing commitment by the senator and his family to service and the country.

• Click here to read President Obama's complete statement from the bill signing ceremony.

• Click here to read more on the bill signing from the White House.

• Click here for a detailed summary of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and the bill language provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

• Click here to read news coverage of the bill signing.

• Click here for a statement from Voices for National Service on the passage of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

While the bill authorizes a massive expansion of national service programs for Americans of all ages, implementation is tied to the availability of funds.  The President is expected to release a detailed budget for Fiscal Year 2010 next month, and Congress will consider the President's request as they make discretionary spending decisions and consider the twelve annual appropriations bills.

Voices for National Service will remain engaged in the appropriations process and will provide updates as they become available.

Millions watched this week as President Obama spoke to a Joint Session of Congress and clearly stated his vision for the role National Service should play in facing the critical challenges our country faces.

		“To encourage a renewed spirit of national service for this and future generations,” President Obama asked Congress to send him the Serve America Act, “the bipartisan legislation that bears the name of Senator Orrin Hatch as well as an American who has never stopped asking what he can do for his country – Senator Edward Kennedy.”

The Serve America Act builds on service as a strategy to meet specific national challenges such as addressing the dropout crisis and strengthening our schools; improving energy efficiency; safeguarding the environment; improving health care and expanding economic opportunity in low-income communities; and preparing for and responding to disasters and emergencies.

• Click here to read the full transcript

• Click here for other National Service news

		Recording Artist Usher joined other distinguished witnesses to testify before the House Committee on Education and Labor at a hearing examining how to renew America through national service and volunteerism on February 25, 2009.   It was the first full committee education hearing held in the 111th Congress. The hearing investigated the role of service in meeting critical community needs, reinvigorating civic engagement across all levels of society, expanding opportunities for young people to participate in service, and how national and community service can help “green” America.

Click on the witnesses listed below to read their testimony:

• Rep. George Miller (D-CA) Opening Statement

• Usher Raymond IV, Recording Artist and Chairman Usher's New Look Foundation

• James Harris, Youth Participant Usher's New Look Foundation

• Richard Stengel, Managing Editor TIME Magazine

• Van Jones, Founder and President Green for All

• Cheryl L. Dorsey, President Echoing Green

• The Honorable Harris Wofford, former US Senator (D-PA)

• Sgt. Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, United States Army

• David L. Caprara, Director and Nonresident Fellow Brookings Initiative on International Volunteering and Service

• Lisa Hamilton, President UPS Foundation