PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Fully Fund the Serve America Act!
  1. Signatures
    178 out of 200
    Petitioning
    1. The U.S. Senate (+ 1 other)
      Petitioning
      close
      • The U.S. Senate
      • The U.S. House of Representatives
  2. Created By
    Leigh Graham
    Boston, MA
About this Petition Petition Letter

Our communities are struggling and the demand for services is expanding exponentially. Nonprofit organizations need human capital to help them provide critical assistance to citizens in need.

Americans are ready to serve, and service programs are reporting a huge influx of applications, double or triple the number received one year ago.

National service is a tangible and meaningful way for citizens to share in the responsibility of seeing us through these challenging times.

Yet, due to budget constraints, President Obama's request did not cover everything included in the Serve America Act. It recommends manageable growth in a few focus areas, and it is important that Congress fully fund the $1.149B request.

(Photo by sundaykofax)

Recent Signatures

Fully Fund the Serve America Act!

Dear Congressperson:

I am writing today to tell you how important it is to me that the Senate fully fund the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act at $1.149 billion, the level that President Obama requested.

At this critical moment, with our communities struggling and the demand for services increasing exponentially, nonprofit organizations need human capital to help them provide critical assistance to citizens in need. Americans have risen to the challenge, with service programs reporting a huge influx of applications - double or triple the number received just one year ago.

National service is a tangible and meaningful way for citizens to share in the responsibility of seeing us through these challenging times. At the same time, service offers our nation an innovative and low-cost way to deal with extraordinary job loss, providing participants with training that prepares them for future employment and, in some cases, post-service education awards that can make higher education more attainable.

Due to budget constraints, President Obama's request did not cover everything included in the Serve America Act. It recommends manageable growth in a few focus areas, so it is crucial that Congress fund the President's request in its totality.

As you know, the Serve America Act was passed in truly bipartisan fashion and taps into Americans' enthusiasm to serve, directing it to the areas and issues where it can make the biggest impact. With America facing such unprecedented challenges, please invest fully in the social innovation and national service infrastructure that are so ready to meet these needs.

[Your name]

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