Latest news with #ImproveYourTomorrow
CBS News
02-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Sacramento nonprofit worries federal cuts would lead to lower Big Day of Giving donations
SACRAMENTO — It's the nonprofit version of Black Friday. Last year, Sacramento's Big Day of Giving raised $13.2 million, but this year, there's concern that the declining economy would lead to lower donations. Megan Laurie with Sacramento's UCP says community donations and government funding are crucial to continuing their programs that assist adults with developmental disabilities. "Every single nonprofit here in our community is watching what the government is doing both federally and statewide, and we're just hoping for the best," she said. Michael Lynch with Improve Your Tomorrow says federal budget cuts have already hit his organization, which helps young men of color go to college. "We immediately lost a million dollars over this next 60 days that helps to fund close to 200 mentors across the country, over 100 right here in Sacramento," Lynch said. The funding uncertainty comes at the same time that there's growing demand for charitable services. "As more and more challenges come to this community, we'll probably continue to see that increased need," Lynch said. These organizers are now calling on the community to raise more money and show support for organizations making a difference across the region. "They're providing services. They're also employing individuals, and they're taking care of those who are finding themselves in challenging situations," Laurie said. Organizers say that even if people can't afford to donate cash, they could still help by volunteering time or donating services to local nonprofits.
CBS News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
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:
