RI CODEL Applauds Release of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors Funding

PROVIDENCE, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner (RI-02) and Gabe Amo (RI-01), applauded the release of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 grant funding for AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs, including the Seniors Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions programs in Rhode Island. The restoration of funding follows the Rhode Island delegation's demand to the Trump Administration to restore fundingbeing withheld from organizations in Rhode Island.

The members released the following statement:

"We are pleased that AmeriCorps funding for seniors has been restored to Rhode Island service providers following our advocacy. These resources are vital for organizations supporting older Rhode Islanders.

This delay, like so many of President Trump's attempts to roll back congressionally approved funding, should never have happened, and we will keep fighting to ensure Rhode Island organizations receive the funding they deserve."

Federal Hill House Association, West Warwick Senior Center, the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging (OHA) and East Bay Action were awarded $1,419,257 through the AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors program.

The funding supports programs that allow older adults to provide one-on-one mentoring, tutoring, and emotional support to children, including those with special needs, as well as recruit volunteers to assist other seniors who need daily support through companionship, help with errands, transportation, and more. The unnecessary delay in funding ceased confusion, uncertainty, and hardship for service providers.