CAC AmeriCorps lays off 52 local workers after Trump administration cuts funding

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CAC AmeriCorps was forced to fire 52 full-time workers after the federal government eliminated funding to AmeriCorps VISTA. The Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, canceled about $400 million in grants to the federal agency, which makes up 41% of the CAC AmeriCorps national budget.

Over half of the 52 workers fired were from Tennessee, and the rest were from out of state. Forty were involved in the environmental corps focused on conservation, and 12 worked for the Western Heights affordable housing development and poverty alleviation.

"Last Friday, the 25th, the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee, which is CAC, received a notice from the AmeriCorps agency discontinuing funding for our AmeriCorps VISTA program. It was noted essentially that the reason for discontinuation was because the grant 'no longer aligned with the priorities of the agency,'" Jason Scott, the local AmeriCorps director, told Knox News.

"A little bit later in the day, we received a similar notice that basically said the same thing for our state/national program. That's effectively resulted in us having to cease our operation immediately, discontinue the terms of service for 52 members, and we are currently in the process of exiting them from the program."

The workers did community needs assessments, raised funds, wrote grants and secured donations.

The CAC AmeriCorps employees served dozens of local community partners who work to solve the community's pressing environmental and social issues. The workers provided environmental education, built trails, assessed community needs, raised funds, and coordinated volunteers.

Over 18,000 work hours were lost from the typical 90,00 hours per year for the CAC crew. The term typically ends in late summer.

The fired workers will receive financial support until June to pay for housing and bills.

Remaining staff members will be available to help organizations that worked with AmeriCorps employees tie up any loose ends after the layoffs.

Many community partners have stepped up to support the fired staff by asking them to apply for jobs in the organizations, Scott said.

"While my staff, and I, work with our partners and leadership to mitigate for the adverse impacts of these actions, we will continue to be available in the coming weeks as we work to perform the administrative tasks necessary to support our members in their transitions, grant closeout and reporting, and other associated tasks," CAC AmericCorps posted.

Some states have had all of their AmeriCorps funding removed. Scott hopes that won't happen in Tennessee, but there's so much uncertainty.

Scott said the fired workers are angry, disappointed and sad over their sudden departure.

What is CAC AmeriCorps?

CAC AmeriCorps hosts workers and places them for a year with nonprofits, government offices, academic institutions and faith organizations, according to the CAC AmeriCorps website.

Workers use their expertise on administrative tasks such as grant-writing or volunteer management. In turn, they get a modest living allowance and credits to pay off student loans.

The AmeriCorps cuts are expected to impact 1,031 organizations and 32,465 AmeriCorps members and senior volunteers, according to Reuters.

A lawsuit against the Trump administration was filed April 29 by 24 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia, saying the administration has effectively dismantled AmeriCorps by cutting 85% of the workforce, Reuters reported.

Myron Thompson covers public safety for Knox News. Email: myron.thompson@knoxnews.com.