How AmeriCorps cuts are impacting Stockton programs
STOCKTON — Federal cuts continue to impact California's Central Valley.
AmeriCorps, a government agency that engages around five million Americans, now faces nearly $400 million in federal cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
In California, every service-based program with AmeriCorps was told to stop working. That came as a shock to Omar Ornelas, the vice president of programs for Stockton Service Corps.
"There was some hope it wouldn't be as deep as our organization, and that clearly wasn't the case," he said.
In just 24 hours, Ornelas' service-based program that receives funding from AmeriCorps had its funding cut.
"Programs have to make a decision because a huge chunk of their funding isn't going to be there, or releasing their members," he said. "It's tougher than you think."
It's especially disheartening for the corps in Stockton because just a day before they found out the funding was being cut, several volunteers went to Mattie Harrell Park and planted 18 trees.
Ornelas is now hoping these cuts don't stop the growth of his Stockton office. Established in 2019, the program focused on youth development and education.
There are about 75 AmeriCorps members in his program alone who are unsure of what to do.
"We have programs like Improve Your Tomorrow, which works with young men of color, which helps raise their graduation rates, which we know is lower than other graduation rates," he said.
Until the future is certain, Ornelas is hoping the decision to cut this funding can be reversed.
"We're just trying to figure out how to make some shifts and continue," he said.
Assemblywoman Rhodesia Ransom, who represents Stockton and a portion of San Joaquin County, said:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
33 minutes ago
- The Hill
Trump clears path for Nippon Steel investment in US Steel, so long as it fits the government's terms
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order paving the way for a Nippon Steel investment in U.S. Steel, so long as the Japanese company complies with a 'national security agreement' submitted by the federal government. Trump's order didn't detail the terms of the national security agreement. But U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel said in a joint statement that the agreement stipulates that approximately $11 billion in new investments will be made by 2028 and includes giving the U.S. government a 'golden share' — essentially veto power to ensure the country's national security interests are protected. 'We thank President Trump and his Administration for their bold leadership and strong support for our historic partnership,' the two companies said. 'This partnership will bring a massive investment that will support our communities and families for generations to come. We look forward to putting our commitments into action to make American steelmaking and manufacturing great again.' The companies have completed a U.S. Department of Justice review and received all necessary regulatory approvals, the statement said. 'The partnership is expected to be finalized promptly,' the statement said. The companies offered few details on how the golden share would work and what investments would be made. Trump said Thursday that he would as president have 'total control' of what U.S. Steel did as part of the investment. Trump said then that the deal would preserve '51% ownership by Americans.' The Japan-based steelmaker had been offering nearly $15 billion to purchase the Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel in a merger that had been delayed on national security concerns starting during Joe Biden's presidency. Trump opposed the purchase while campaigning for the White House, yet he expressed optimism in working out an arrangement once in office. 'We have a golden share, which I control,' said Trump, although it was unclear what he meant by suggesting that the federal government would determine what U.S. Steel does as a company. Trump added that he was 'a little concerned' about what presidents other than him would do with their golden share, 'but that gives you total control.' Still, Nippon Steel has never said it was backing off its bid to buy and control U.S. Steel as a wholly owned subsidiary. The proposed merger had been under review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, during the Trump and Biden administrations. The order signed Friday by Trump said the CFIUS review provided 'credible evidence' that Nippon Steel 'might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States,' but such risks might be 'adequately mitigated' by approving the proposed national security agreement. The order doesn't detail the perceived national security risk and only provides a timeline for the national security agreement. The White House declined to provide details on the terms of the agreement. The order said the draft agreement was submitted to U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel on Friday. The two companies must successfully execute the agreement as decided by the Treasury Department and other federal agencies that are part CFIUS by the closing date of the transaction. Trump reserves the authority to issue further actions regarding the investment as part of the order he signed on Friday. ___ Associated Press writer Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pa., contributed to this report.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US scrambles to bring back VOA's Persian service amid Iran-Israel conflict
Employees of Voice of America's Persian-language service who were sidelined by the Trump administration have been hastily called back to duty as Iran and Israel exchange missile strikes in a high-stakes Middle East conflict. The U.S. Agency for Global Media told employees placed on administrative leave to immediately return to their roles providing counter-programming to Iranian state media as the conflict between the two nations escalated Friday, according to an email seen by POLITICO and three people familiar with the situation. 'Effective immediately, you are recalled from administrative leave,' said the email from USAGM's human resources department. 'You are expected to report to your duty station immediately.' There are 75 full time employees within VOA's Persian wing — the language predominantly spoken in Iran — and it's believed most, if not all, have now been brought back after being put on administrative leave for three months. VOA's Persian service had been shut down as a part of President Donald Trump's March 15 executive order dismantling U.S.-backed global media, which included VOA, among other outlets. Since, the embattled network has been rattled with court orders — and discussions of company-wide reductions-in-force. In the last several weeks, RIFs have begun going out to employees in small doses. Patsy Widakuswara, one of the lead plaintiffs in VOA's lawsuit against the Trump administration, said this move is a perfect example of why the entirety of VOA should be brought back. 'After months off the air, we've already lost a lot of audience and credibility,' said Widakuswara, the VOA White House bureau chief. 'They should bring us all back so we can respond to breaking news in all parts of the world.' The abrupt decision to recall employees of the Persian service occurs as the conflict appears to be escalating following the overnight strike on Iran directed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Iranian response. VOA would typically heavily rely on contractors for this coverage — but last month the administration terminated a large swath of them. 'It just shows how idiotic they are, consistent with this firing and rehiring pattern that has cost Americans who knows how many millions of dollars,' one VOA employee on administrative leave, said on condition of anonymity to speak candidly. 'This is the real fraud, waste and abuse.'
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
DHS turns tables on Elizabeth Warren after calling for Noem to resign: 'Trying to revise history'
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., joined the chorus of Democrats criticizing Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem after Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was stopped by Secret Service agents after interrupting a DHS press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday. "It's time for Republican Senators to speak up. We need an independent investigation of this," Warren said on MSNBC's "All In with Chris Hayes" on Thursday night. "It is also time for Kristi Noem to resign. She needs to resign," she added. Kristi Noem Suspects 'Completely Inappropriate' Democratic Senator 'Wanted The Scene' Padilla was briefly placed in handcuffs and kicked out of the room by the Secret Service after he entered the press conference and attempted to ask the secretary a question in the middle of her remarks. He identified himself by name as a senator, but he was not wearing a security pin during the incident, according to the FBI. "Everything is on camera—Warren is trying to revise history on Senator Padilla's embarrassing conduct, but Americans can see with their own eyes," Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated. Read On The Fox News App Click Here For More Immigration Coverage "Senator Padilla entered a high-security federal facility under false pretenses and crashed an invite-only press conference as law enforcement are working around the clock to calm violent riots," McLaughlin continued. "There's no excuse for busting into a press conference and interrupting it. Had Senator Padilla asked for a meeting, Secretary Noem would have happily obliged, which she graciously did for 15 minutes after the press conference." 'Spectacle Of Himself': Senate Republicans Blast Alex Padilla After His Forcible Removal From Dhs Presser Padilla tried to manufacture a viral moment and it's embarrassing & disrespectful to law enforcement," she added. The Democrat and Noem did end up having a brief meeting where they exchanged phone numbers. Fox News reported that Noem described the meeting as "cordial and beneficial," and Padilla's office said it was "civil." The press conference addressed the civil unrest in the Los Angeles area as Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to arrest illegal immigrants. Schiff Demands Noem's Resignation After Fellow Senator Forcibly Removed From Briefing "The Senator met with Secretary Noem this afternoon. He raised concerns with the deployment of military forces and the needless escalation over the last week, among other issues. And he voiced his frustration with the continued lack of response from this administration," Edgar D. Rodríguez, Deputy Communications Director for Padilla, posted to X. "It was a civil, brief meeting, but the Secretary did not provide any meaningful answers. The Senator was simply trying to do his job and seek answers for the people he represents in California," he added. Other Democrats, like California Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Eric Swalwell, have called on Noem to step down. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski condemned how the incident was handled, whereas others, like sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, slammed the incident on his show, hypothetically asking Padilla, "You couldn't wait?"Original article source: DHS turns tables on Elizabeth Warren after calling for Noem to resign: 'Trying to revise history'
