Voices for National Service
The Respected Voice for the Service Community in Washington, DC
Our Mission
To support the growth and development of opportunities for all Americans to serve by mobilizing the field to educate our nation’s leaders and the American public about the power and impact of national service.
Our History
Voices for National Service is a diverse coalition of national service programs, state commissions, and individual champions committed to expanding opportunities for Americans of all ages to serve and volunteer. Founded in 2003 in response to major cuts in federal funding that threatened hundreds of AmeriCorps programs, Voices for National Service mobilized supporters to spread a critical message: America needs AmeriCorps.
Voices for National Service’s coordinated response mobilized AmeriCorps champions from all walks of life – including 44 governors, 148 mayors, 80 senators, and 233 congresspersons – to build support that resulted in a then-record appropriation of $441 million for AmeriCorps in fiscal year 2004 – an increase of 62% over the year before. Since then, the coalition has expanded its work to incorporate Learn and Serve America, Senior Corps, and other national service programs, y becoming the leading voice for the service community in Washington, DC. Voices for National Service has built strong bipartisan support among our nation’s leaders and has positioned national service as a viable policy solution to tackle unmet needs, expand opportunity, and leverage social capital.
Drawing on the combined experience and knowledge of the service community, Voices for National Service played a key role in the development of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009. The national service programs and state commissions involved in Voices for National Service have extensive experience running successful projects and managing grants, and the best recommendations from the field were collected and shared with congressional leaders and the White House.
Annual events organized by the coalition have drawn in new champions and strengthened support for service from federal, state, and local leaders. These events include the Friends of National Service Awards Reception, honoring public and private leaders who have shown extraordinary support for national service, and the National Service Capitol Hill Day, educating our nation’s public leaders in Washington, DC. Voices for National Service also organizes annual policy forums, which bring together policy makers, thought-leaders, and members of the national service community.
Voices for National Service plays a critical role in disseminating information to the field and in sharing research on the impact of national service with our nation’s leaders. Voices for National Service created www.voicesforservice.org – the “go to” site for the latest information and mobilization opportunities – and produces a regular eNewsletter, which features action alerts, legislative updates, news on national service, and announcements of events and initiatives. The coalition continues to support the development of the bipartisan National Service Congressional Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. Through a united effort, Voices for National Service has proven to be a powerful force for ensuring the future of national service.
Our Goals
- Policy: Expand and
deepen bipartisan support for national service; monitor
policy developments and offer coordinated responses to
legislative activity; educate the national service field
about the impact of these developments on their programs;
and advance new ideas for expanding and strengthening
national service.
- Mobilization: Engage
the national service field in making the case for expanded
service opportunities by sponsoring events, recognizing
key champions, and supporting the work of national service
programs and members.
- Capacity & Communications:
Collect data, research, and stories of impact, and develop
communication strategies that effectively share this
information with the media and other interested parties.
- Partnerships: Support
all streams of service and their coalitions; involve
alumni in Voices for National Service activities; and
engage new national service champions.
Our Members
Membership is open to service organizations and commissions
seeking to expand opportunities for all Americans to serve. Membership
dues are calculated based on the size of the organization’s
annual operating budget.
- Click
here to learn more about our members and how to
be a “voice” for national service.
Members of Voices for National Service
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Bellflower Unified School District/AmeriCorps/APPLE
EOC Fresno Local Conservation Corps
Southern Association of RSVP Directors
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Friends of National Service
While membership is open to service organizations and
state commissions only, corporations, foundations, and
individuals wishing to contribute to the work of Voices
for National Service are invited to join the Friends of
National Service sponsorship circle.
- Click
here to learn more about becoming a Friend of National
Service.
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