This is a guest opinion column

AmeriCorps is a vital engine for progress in our state and across the country. The recent decision to eliminate $2.5 million in AmeriCorps funding in Alabama 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 Teach For America, AmeriCorps grants are an important part of our ability to recruit thousands of new teachers across the country, including the 50 first-and second- year teachers currently serving in Alabama, impacting hundreds of students. Due to our partnership with AmeriCorps, we have been able to recruit over 600 teachers to the state of Alabama since 2010, impacting more than 100,000 students over that time period.

At a time where our communities and districts are grappling with severe educator shortages, AmeriCorps makes becoming a teacher an affordable option. Losing this funding jeopardizes the placement of roughly 2,500 new teachers nationwide.

Without AmeriCorps in our state, it makes it more difficult to continue co-creating solutions to build a stronger pipeline for the teaching profession.

Termination of these grants doesn’t simply affect our educator pipeline; it also affects the entire local education system, including important programs such as Impact America, Butler County’s Instructional Support Teams, and Reid State’s EmpowerED Conecuh. 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.

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. Many future corps who 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.

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, 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.

Corinn O’Brien is the Vice President of Policy at A+ Education Partnership and is an alumna of Teach For America Greater New Orleans (2008).

Bryan Billy is the Executive Director of Teach For America Alabama and an alumnus of Teach For America Alabama (2011).