City of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Proclamation
WHEREAS, AmeriCorps has empowered thousands of volunteers across the U.S., including hundreds in Santa Barbara County, to address critical community needs in education, homelessness, disaster response, and public health; and
WHEREAS, AmeriCorps Home for Good members have provided vital services in Northern Santa Barbara County supporting unhoused individuals, at -risk youth, and veterans through housing assistance and stability programs; and
WHEREAS, from September 2024 to April 2025, members delivered over 4,000 essential services in the county, housing 80 people and assisting 300 others in finding permanent housing; and
WHEREAS, the potential loss of AmeriCorps due to federal defunding poses a serious threat to local service efforts and community progress; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Maria affirms its commitment to service and supports the creation of a Santa Barbara County Service Corps led by Northern Santa Barbara County United W ay to continue vital programs if federal funding is lost; and
WHEREAS, in the absence of federal support, the City supports the creation of a Santa Barbara County Service Corps led by Northern Santa Barbara County United Way to continue vital work in housing, education, disaster response, and health; provide service opportunities for youth, veterans, and those with lived experience; offer education awards of up to $5,000 annually ; and build the program through local partnerships.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALICE M. PATINO, Mayor of the City of Santa Maria, hereby recognize:
“AmeriCorps National Service”
in the City of Santa Maria and express full support for continued investment in local service initiatives.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Santa Maria to be affixed hereto this 17th day of June 2025.
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Alice M. Patino, Mayor