Dozens of members of a national volunteer program helping with Hurricane Helene recovery in western North Carolina have been recalled as part of the Trump administration’s cost-cutting campaign.
AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps, which sends young adults across the U.S. to respond to natural disasters and help with community projects, told members Tuesday that they would exit the program early “due to programmatic circumstances beyond your control,” according to an email obtained by The Associated Press.
Seven AmeriCorps teams of 52 members focusing on relief work after Helene caused widespread destruction last September in western North Carolina were recalled and placed on administrative leave, the governor’s office said.
“The reports that members of AmeriCorps NCCC [National Civilian Community Corps] have been recalled and placed on administrative leave is extremely concerning,” Gov. Josh Stein’s office said Thursday. “NCCC teams have been key to post-Helene recovery.”
Members were working with the United Way of Asheville Buncombe County, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and other organizations.
“Volunteers are on the ground delivering resources to victims, repairing homes, and leading volunteer efforts — and the people of western North Carolina need them to complete their mission,” Stein’s office said.
The unsigned memo to corps members Tuesday said NCCC’s “ability to sustain program operations” was affected by the Trump administration’s priorities. The federal agency’s budget showed NCCC funding amounted to nearly $38 million last fiscal year.
Jordan Kinsler, 23, has worked with the AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps for the last nine months, traveling from Minnesota communities hit by floods to ones in North Carolina recovering from Helene. He and his team were on their final project at FEMA headquarters in Washington when they got word that they wouldn't be able to finish.
“To have this ripped right from us at the very end, it felt insulting," he said.
Kinsler said he's proud of the work he's done and had hoped to apply for a permanent position.
A White House official said the Trump administration questioned using taxpayer money for the program. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.
AmeriCorps NCCC, which completed its 30th year last year, employs more than 2,000 people ages 18 to 26 participating for a roughly 10-month service term, according to the program’s website. Teams of corps members are tasked with working on projects related to education, housing, urban and rural development, land conservation and disaster relief across the country.
The agency pays for members’ basic expenses, including housing, meals and a “limited health benefit,” as well as a “modest” living allowance and an education stipend for those who complete their full service term, according to the program.
Weeks after Helene struck, over 85 AmeriCorps members were assigned to recovery efforts in North Carolina, helping in shelters, providing disaster assistance and working with cleanups in communities including Burnsville, Hendersonville, Hickory and Whiteville, the agency said in an Oct. 9 news release.
