Another round of AmeriCorps cuts hit WV, Energy Express targeted

By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV

In late April, Volunteer WV officially notified nonprofits around the state that more than 200 jobs with an economic impact of $21 million were being cut for the current year. 

Now, those same nonprofits have been told their funding for future years has also been cut. The cuts run deep, reportedly affecting a variety of beloved programs. 

RealWV reached out to VolunteerWV, the WV Nonprofit Association, and the programs facing cuts directly on Thursday. Most could not speak publicly, but Sarah Riley, Executive Director of High Rocks in Pocahontas County, did confirm that her program is facing additional cuts after already previously losing 69 jobs.

“We got official word that new and recompete grants have been denied,” Riley said via email. She traveled to meet with staff members of West Virginia’s congressional delegation on Thursday to advocate for the programs she oversees. 

“I believe…this will result in the elimination of AmeriCorps over the next two years,” she fears. 

Sen. Shelley Moore-Capito has been publicly supportive of the AmeriCorps programs including High Rocks, saying in May that the proposed cuts concerned her. 

RealWV reached out to her for comment on Thursday to ask for her reaction to this new round of cuts and whether the Trump Administration has the authority to withhold funds which have already been appropriated by Congress? 

Sen. Capito’s office did not immediately respond. 

Pending lawsuits 

The first round of cuts to AmeriCorps were blocked by US District Court Judge Deborah Boardman this month. But affected organizations in West Virginia were not impacted as the judge’s ruling only applied to those states who joined the lawsuit. WV Attorney General JB McCuskey did not join the suit and did not return a request for comment to RealWV. 

A separate lawsuit which would impact West Virginia nonprofits was heard by a judge earlier this month, with a ruling expected in the next week or two, according to Riley. 

Energy Express

One of the other programs reportedly impacted by the latest round of cuts is Energy Express, a summer reading and nutrition program for low-income communities run by the West Virginia University Extension Office that reaches around 3,000 students annually. 

RealWV reached out to Melissa Calabrese, Director via the WVU Extension Office, for comment on Thursday. She said she could not comment on any potential cuts but did speak to the program’s importance. 

“We’re proud of West Virginia University’s partnership with AmeriCorps, an alliance that has transformed lives across the state for over thirty years,” said Calabrese. “It’s a model that works!  For example, over 88% of Energy Express children increased or maintained their reading level during the summer of 2024.”

That’s the goal of the program–preventing the “summer slide” when children fall behind on reading skills when they are out of school. 

This summer, Energy Express employs 151 young people across the state. Last summer, they served more than 55,000 meals.

“We know things may look different next year, and we are actively exploring how we can continue advancing our goals which include improving academic outcomes, providing nutritious meals, inspiring young people to discover their passion for helping others, promoting collaboration and effective communication between families, schools, and communities, and to serve as many children and communities as resources allow,” Calabrese said. “For three decades, AmeriCorps has afforded us the ability to reach these goals.”

Stay tuned to RealWV for updates on this developing story.