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Republican Budget Would Eliminate Volunteer Programs
Talk about a “dog with a bone”!
The Republican House of Representatives has once again voted to eliminate the Corporation for National and Community Service (“CNCS”). The first time they did this, the Senate voted it down and you would have thought that’s that.
But no, here it is again for the second time. CNCS oversees these programs, such as Americorps (programs for volunteer youths), Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (“RSVP”), Foster Grandparent Program (“FGP”), Senior Companion Program (“SCP”) and many more programs that thousands of volunteers assist seniors in remaining at home. Also, the Volunteer Generations Fund, NCCC (conservation corps) and Social Innovation Fund are to be terminated if the Republican House has its way.
The House budget did retain some funds for RSVP, SCP and FGP; however, with CNCS eliminated, there is no indication as to who would have oversight for these senior programs and therefore would not be able to receive funding on their own.
When you analyze all the millions of hours that these volunteers give to people in need for no salary, these are the most cost-effective programs on the planet. So why get rid of them? The House says they cost too much, yet when you look at the entire House Budget, the cost of these programs doesn’t make a blip on the screen. However, they are programs being promoted by President Barack Obama as a National Service for Americans and encouraging all Americans to volunteer to help others.
Since it is a President Obama project, it can’t be a good thing according to the Republicans. Unfortunately, it’s all about politics and not about America’s needs. Last year Congress cut the RSVP programs $13 million. That closed the doors of over 100 RSVP Programs who were helping thousands of people in need, mainly seniors who were maintained at home rather than in an institution, which saves the government millions of dollars.
Volunteers are so under-appreciated for all that they do and then to keep trying to eliminate millions of them by getting rid of CNCS makes no fiscal sense at all. However, there are bigger fish to fry right now. The House should be concentrating on working cooperatively with the Senate to find people jobs, save homes from foreclosure and protecting the environment to name a few, not spending time, effort and money on bills that hurt the poor and the middle class and aren’t going to accomplish anything positive. Let’s get this election over with before more irreversible damage is done.
It rankles me to no end when I think about all those RSVP programs losing over $13 million when candidates spend that much in one day on TV ads.
Keep in mind when you hear all these negative ads on TV that you need to research them to see how much truth is in them. You will be amazed. But how many people do? Not many, I’m sure.
Janice R. Ayres
Immediate Past President
Nevada Senior Corps Association
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