Gutting AmeriCorps will harm Idaho schools, students and communities | Opinion

AmeriCorps is a vital engine for progress in our state and across the country. The recent decision to eliminate $1.8m in AmeriCorps funding in Idaho represents a major setback. These cuts threaten to derail disaster response efforts, disrupt support for students who need it most and weaken the infrastructure of national service at a time when we can least afford it.

For organizations like Teach For America, AmeriCorps funding is foundational. These grants enable us to bring passionate, capable individuals into classrooms where the need is greatest. Our corps members, who consistently drive strong outcomes for students, count on the AmeriCorps education award to offset costs associated with teacher training, certification and continued learning.

If this funding disappears, it will jeopardize the placement of roughly 2,500 new teachers nationwide — including in Idaho — just as communities are grappling with serious educator shortages. Without AmeriCorps, many classrooms may go unfilled, leaving students without the dedicated teachers they deserve. For example, 11 of our teachers serve in Payette, where 99% of students are considered low income, and are teaching in hard-to-staff subjects, including special education, math and science. Without AmeriCorps, those roles may simply be empty.

Can you imagine not having a science teacher?

While we’re working to mitigate the impact on our current corps members and their classrooms, this stopgap approach is not a long-term fix. Future TFA corps members — many of whom are navigating student debt or are the first in their families to attend college — may find that without this financial support that the path is untenable. Teach For America alumna and teacher Natashia Silva recently shared with me her experience with AmeriCorps funding:

“The Segal Education Award from AmeriCorps was a pivotal force in my journey toward earning a master’s degree in education. As a first-generation college graduate and the child of a Navy veteran and a single mother, financial barriers often seemed insurmountable. Without this grant, pursuing graduate studies would have remained out of reach.

“The support from the Segal Award not only made it possible for me to continue my education but also opened the door to new professional opportunities and long-term career advancement. Because of this award, I am now on the path to becoming a school leader — something I once only dreamed of. Organizations like AmeriCorps and their generous financial support open doorways and provide access for incredible future leaders, whose greatest barrier is cost. Eliminating AmeriCorps would be a monumental mistake.”

Termination of these grants doesn’t simply affect our educator pipeline — it also affects the entire local education system. Many important local programs such as the University of Idaho’s 4-H program, Boise Urban Garden School and Idaho State University’s youth mental health program are severely affected, if not terminated, by these cuts. Children will suffer the loss of these programs, and the staff left behind will be under an ever-increasing burden to provide these critical services.

At a broader level, AmeriCorps serves as a powerful gateway to public service, especially for younger generations motivated by purpose and impact. It doesn’t just support individuals — it uplifts communities and strengthens our civic fabric. Every dollar invested in AmeriCorps returns $17 in economic value. Far from being a financial drain, national service is a cost-effective force for economic and social good. The program empowers local communities to lead on the issues that matter most to them.

Cutting AmeriCorps undermines our ability to solve problems together. If we care about the future of education, disaster resilience, and civic leadership in Idaho, we must protect and expand national service opportunities. Let’s ensure that those ready to serve have the support they need to answer the call.