Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Service Corps topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Santa Maria proclaims support for AmeriCorps and local service alternatives amid federal budget uncertainty
Summary
Councilmember Aguilera Hernandez presented a proclamation recognizing AmeriCorps’ local service contributions and city support for a county-led service corps should federal funding be reduced; speakers noted AmeriCorps had been briefly refunded but may face future cuts.
Councilmember Aguilera Hernandez presented a proclamation to recognize AmeriCorps national service and to express city support for ongoing local service efforts on Tuesday.
The proclamation highlighted AmeriCorps members’ work in education, homelessness, disaster response and public health across Santa Barbara County, and cited local "Home for Good" members who assisted unhoused residents, at‑risk youth and veterans between September 2024 and April 2025. The text noted members had delivered over 4,000 essential services, housed 80 people and assisted 300 others in securing permanent housing during that period.
Eddie Taylor, speaking after the proclamation, said AmeriCorps funding had been refunded for the moment but remained at risk in the next federal budget cycle and that local partners — cities, county and Northern Santa Barbara County United Way — were committed to creating a Santa Barbara County Service Corps if federal funding were reduced. Taylor described AmeriCorps members who volunteered during a funding interruption and continued service for six weeks until funding was resolved.
Mayor Patino read and signed the proclamation on behalf of the city. Council took no further action; the item was a ceremonial recognition.
