Mayor says federal cuts threaten seniors’ meals and Job Corps programs; city moves to house affected youth

Mayor Regina Romero told the Mayor and Council on June 3 that cuts to federal funding have forced local nonprofits to curtail services — including senior congregate meals and Job Corps programs — and she described immediate city efforts to help students and elders affected by the reductions.

The mayor said the Trump administration’s budget changes will end some federal support for local aging and youth services. She said the Fred G. Acosta Job Corps center was informed that federal funding would be cut and that the center’s closure would leave some students without housing or services.

City staff and community partners moved quickly. The mayor reported that city staff, the Housing First and Community Safety, Health and Wellness teams and nonprofit partners contacted at least 11 Job Corps students who were at immediate risk of homelessness; the city said it will use Housing First rental assistance to place those students into units and stabilize them while they search for jobs and longer‑term housing. The mayor said the full Job Corps closure affects roughly 260 students ages 16 to 24, based on information provided to the city.

The mayor also said local senior meal providers were affected. Pima Council on Aging — which runs congregate meal programs in city facilities and community sites — was cited as losing federal support for meal distribution. City staff and the mayor said the city will meet with the Pima Council on Aging to explore options and coordinate with community partners. The mayor said the city was arranging meetings with nonprofit leaders and would consider partnerships and private funding to cover immediate needs.

City staff later clarified that some youth were already connected to local providers: the Center of Opportunity took in several students, and the city planned to place 11 students in El Portal, using a Housing First grant to cover rental assistance for a year while they stabilize and seek employment.

Why it matters: The cuts could force closures and service reductions for vulnerable populations that rely on federal programs for meals, job training and shelter. City officials said they are mobilizing local resources to reduce immediate harm while seeking partners to replace lost federal dollars.

What’s next: The mayor said she scheduled follow‑up meetings with Pima Council on Aging staff and community partners; the city will continue to triage immediate housing and meal needs while seeking longer‑term funding solutions.