Southern Tier AmeriCorps Program Shut Down by Federal Cuts

Late in the day on Monday, April 28, the Rural Health Network of South Central New York received the news: its long-standing Public Health AmeriCorps grant had been immediately and unexpectedly terminated due to a sweeping elimination of federal funding.

The decision forced an abrupt halt to the service of 11 AmeriCorps members and impacted the employment of three staff members connected to the program.

An Unceremonious End to a 16-Year Legacy

The Rural Health Network’s AmeriCorps program had served the region for more than 16 years, providing public health support through the efforts of over 500 service members.

The organization expressed deep disappointment over the sudden loss, calling the grant termination “unfathomable” and noting that they were not alone in the impact. The nationwide cut affects more than 1,000 programs and over 35,000 AmeriCorps service members across the United States.

Immediate Impacts and Response

By 5:00 p.m. on April 28, the organization was forced to notify its host sites and active AmeriCorps members that they could no longer continue their work. The Rural Health Network has publicly acknowledged the outpouring of support from community partners and is now focusing on how to move forward.

Legal Efforts Underway

The New York State Attorney General’s office and the Governor’s office are reportedly preparing legal action in response to the federal cuts. They are seeking a temporary restraining order to pause the federal government’s efforts to reclaim the funds, with hopes of at least a short-term resolution that could provide relief to impacted programs and individuals.

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How the Public Can Support AmeriCorps

In light of the sweeping consequences, Rural Health Network is urging community members to take action in support of AmeriCorps and national service. Recommended steps include:

Contacting Congressional Representatives: Use the Voices for National Service tool to reach out to lawmakers.

Donating to Emergency Aid Funds: Contribute to the AmeriCorps emergency assistance fund created by America’s Service Commissions

Sharing Stories: AmeriCorps alumni are encouraged to tell their stories through the Service Year Alliance.

Joining Advocacy Coalitions: Get involved with States for Service, a group advocating for supportive national and state policies.

20 Great Places for a Steak, a Slice, or a Spiedie in the Great NYS Southern Tier

The Southern Tier of New York is a sprawling region that goes from Central New York and hugs the Pennsylvania border all the way to Jamestown. In this gallery we take a small portion of the Southern Tier and highlight some places that you will enjoy stopping at for a bite to eat. We include Broome, Chemung, Tioga, and Steuben Counties

The 20 places featured include steak houses, Japanese restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, pizza parlors, Irish taverns, and much more.